Officials ready for big lake crowds

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September 5, 2010

By SUSAN TEBBEN Glasgow Daily Times The Glasgow Daily Times Sun Sep 05, 2010, 08:17 AM CDT

GLASGOW — During the Labor Day weekend, officials at the Barren River Lake State Resort Park expect to see an increased crowd, despite some drawbacks supplied by Mother Nature.

They are also hoping to see a safe crowd for a good holiday.

“We’re expecting a great weekend with big attendance,” said Lisa Davis, director of the park. “There are just a few accommodations left and the [99-site] campground is already full.”

Last year the park saw 30,000 visitors over the course of the three-day weekend, according to Davis.

They expect to see just as many out boating, walking, fishing and having a good time, but swimming will have to be left of the list of visitor’s plans for the most part. All the beaches at the park are closed because of a higher than normal lake level, about 4.5 feet above typical level. Boaters and fishers are urged to use caution as well, but shouldn’t see that many problems as long as they abide by the rules.

“There has been so much fluctuation of the lake level in the last few months and the debris from flooding is getting caught up in it and coming out of the trees so there’s a ton of trash out there,” said Ranger Jon Fillingham of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, who patrol the waters by boat. “The number one thing is to be extra cautious and have extra spotters in your boat if you can. And life jackets are essential.”

One of the most common things that the ACE sees when patrolling the waters is boaters standing up while the boat is in motion. With the lake up as high as it is, the water covers over things that boat operators would normally see, like sandbars, and if a boat hits a high crest of a wave or a sandbar, passengers can be thrown off, so it is important for people to sit inside the bow of the boat when it is in motion. The busiest times for boating are after noon until about 5 p.m., he said.

Safety is always a concern, but there are no restrictions on boating during the weekend and Fillingham predicts a great weekend.

“Attendance has been up this year and July was the heaviest [in volume] that we’ve seen in a long time because people can’t afford to vacation outside the area so we’re expecting a lot of people,” he said.

Tubing and water skiing are two of the biggest activities out on the water, but fishing dominates, Fillingham said.

When fishing, life jackets are a must for fishing enthusiasts when they head out on the water, searching for bass and catfish and crawfish at night. While the public beaches are off limits, creeks and the main part of the lake are fair game.

“Fishermen need to be careful as far as watching for other boats and staying away from the public beaches that are underwater,” said Lucas Hurt, Barren County Game Warden. “There are as many fishermen as recreational boaters that will be out this weekend.”

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