Boaters, dock owners and visitors of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ White River Basin lakes are being urged to use caution when going out on the local waters. According to officials, various lakes around Arkansas, including Bull Shoals and Norfork, are five to ten feet below the tops of their conservation pools due to below-normal rainfall and the demand for hydroelectricity from both dams.
A statement from the Corps states there is still plenty of water for boating and other activities, but dock owners should closely monitor their docks and move them if necessary to prevent them from being grounded. In addition, some launch ramps may be impaired, so boaters are encouraged to remain in the main river channels and give the shoreline a wide berth. Some obstacles may be found below the surface including land points, rock formations, tree stumps or other hazards and shallow spots normally deep under water.
The Corps is advising boaters to slow down, wear life jackets, use depth finders and check with area marinas about trouble spots. For more information about lake levels, go online to swl.usace.army.mil, and click “Water Levels.”
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