DNR Urging Lake Goers to Abide By Social Distancing Rule

Complaints are coming in about crowds at Lake Hartwell beaches and on the islands not adhering to the social distance mandate from Governor Brian Kemp.

Several weeks ago, Kemp ordered people to stay home and if you do go out keep at least six feet from others in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus, and he ordered no congregating in groups of more than 10 people at a time.

The Corps of Engineers announced last week that while they have closed their campsites and day-use areas, they are still allowing boating and personal watercraft out on Lake Hartwell and other Corp-operated waterways.

However, some people may be carrying the excitement and fun of being on the lake a bit too far and have reportedly been gathering in larger numbers than allowed on Hartwell Lake’s islands and park beaches.

Last weekend, boaters and others who saw large crowds of people jammed on the islands and beaches began complaining to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement officer for Lake Hartwell Craig Fulghum reminds people on the lake they still must abide by the social distancing guidelines.

“No group of people greater than 10 people are allowed to gather at any one time,” he said. “That still applies to our State waterways. Our state parks and our lakes are still open. We do ask people to keep it down to no more than 10 people at a time. That extends to boats, rafting, and also extends to our islands. If we find a group greater than 10 we will ask you to disperse,” Fulghum said.

Boaters last weekend also complained of crowds jamming the beach at Tugaloo State Park, but Fulghum said when he went by to check, he did not see that.

Fulghum said with the Springtime warm weather people are naturally anxious to get outdoors and enjoy the lake and parks that Georgia has to offer, especially now with parents having children at home in the house all week.

That’s why he is encouraging everyone to be mindful of the social distancing order from Governor Kemp while on the lake and in the State Parks.

“It was very busy this past weekend because people are home and home from school, and our kids are out,” he noted. “People are wanting to get out, but we just need to do it in accordance with the emergency declaration. I think as a general rule, the lake is a good place to be at as long as we can keep the social distance. Lake Hartwell is a big lake and there’s no reason we need to be on the same piece of ground somebody else is on. Give yourself space. If we can do that, we’re all going to be a lot better off.”

So far, Kemp has resisted calls for closing the State parks and beaches to give people a place to go where they can have fun but still maintain social distancing, but that could change if people don’t abide by the Governor’s orders.

Fulghum said he only had a few instances last weekend where he had to ask people to disperse because there were more than 10 people in a gathering.

There is no fine right now for having a large group either on an island, beach or even in a pontoon boat or raft, but he said that could happen if people do not willingly abide by the COVID-19 social distancing mandate.