Chattahoochee River Lock and Dam Could Close?
By: Jamiese Price
Updated: September 24, 2012
In 2011 there were 202 recreational lockages at the George Andrews Lock and Dam located just outside of Columbia.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers requires at least 500 recreational lockages per year to staff the locks.
With George Andrews having less than what is required the lock and dam is scheduled to close to recreational boaters in October.
The lock and dam will only be open to commercials vessels by appointment only.
The closure is a concern for Houston County Commission Chairman Mark Culver. In an interview Monday he said, ""I certainly understand the issue from the government with the costs. We had the same thing happen here where we had to cut back. I wish we could figure out some way where recreational users would have access to use the river like they normally have."
The locks allow boats to move from one water level to another, which is ideal for fishing tournaments and other boating activities. With the locks closed fisherman and boater would have to find another place to go.
"It is a recreational opportunity for people limiting their ability to go up and down the river would certainly create a situation that's most difficult for recreational folks to use it," continued Culver.
The closures are among many across the country. Also slated to close is the Walter George Lock and Dam near Fort Gaines.
The locks were supposed to close October 7th but that's changed.
Bill Smallwood who is a project manager with the Army Corps Engineer said he's hoping a plan submitted Monday could keep the locks open.
Smallwood wouldn't go into detail about the plan---but he said they should know if the plan is accepted sometime after October 7th.
