Lake Lanier closures: Number of closures reduced to 11 from 20

ATLANTA - After a wave of public outcry and political pressure, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has scaled back plans to close nearly two dozen recreational sites around Lake Lanier.

ORIGINAL STORY: Staffing shortages force closures at Lake Lanier, other SE recreation areas

What we know:

Originally, 20 parks were set to close due to staff shortages, but that number has now been reduced to 11. Among the sites still in question is Little Ridge Park, which had been on the revised list as remaining open, yet was closed Thursday, leaving visitors confused and disappointed.

"It’s unbelievable that they have this shut down," said Ryan Krakowski, who visited the park to honor his grandmother whose ashes were scattered there. "The fact that it’s all closed down was kind of like... it hurts a little bit."

The U.S. Army Corps blamed federal hiring freezes and deferred resignations for the staffing issues and says it is working to honor upcoming campsite reservations. Still, some locals remain skeptical.

"If we don’t have a multi-million dollar home on the lake, this is the only way we can come and enjoy this natural resource," said Garrett Hurtt, who frequents the park daily with his dogs.

Concerns are rising that the reduced number of open parks could lead to overcrowding during the busy Memorial Day weekend. However, the local convention and visitors bureau remains confident that visitors will still be able to enjoy the lake if they plan ahead.

Political Pressure:

Congressman Rich McCormick announced Wednesday night, following conversations with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), only 11 sites will now temporarily close instead of the approximately 20 originally planned. Importantly, all boat ramps will remain open to the public.

"I pushed hard for a better solution, and they listened," McCormick said in a social media post, thanking local leaders like state Sen. Greg Dolezal for their advocacy.

Rep. Andrew Clyde also released a statement after USACE confirmed only 11 recreational sites would be closed:

"Upon being informed about the park and boat ramp closures on Tuesday, I pressed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reach a more acceptable solution to safely increase access to sites on Lake Lanier," said Clyde. "I’m pleased that more Lake Lanier boat ramps will be open, and only 11 recreational sites will be temporarily closed. This is a significant improvement from the previously planned total of 21 site closures, expanding residents and visitors’ safe access to parks. I encourage folks to plan ahead accordingly, stay safe, and enjoy Memorial Day weekend on Lake Lanier."

What Prompted the Closures?

What we know:

Residents near Lake Lanier began noticing public access points being blocked earlier this week, prompting concern and media inquiries. The USACE later confirmed to FOX 5 Atlanta on Wednesday that it was initiating widespread closures across the Southeast, citing a severe staffing shortage ahead of the 2025 recreation season.

The shortage, according to the Corps, is tied to a hiring freeze ordered by President Trump earlier this year, which, while not directly affecting lock and dam operators, has impacted the recreation division. Seasonal positions such as park rangers and maintenance workers have not been filled.

A spokesperson for the Mobile District said the closures are a necessary step to protect public safety while ensuring that essential operations—like dam management and emergency readiness—remain uninterrupted.

Revised List of Closures

What we know:

The closures affect sites not just at Lake Lanier, but at other major reservoirs across Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. The original closure list included nearly two dozen sites at Lake Lanier alone. The new list of closures at Lake Lanier include:

• Burton Mill
• Keith's Bridge
• Little Hall
• Little River
• Long Hollow
• Mountain View
• Old Federal Day Use
• Robinson
• Two Mile
• Van Pugh North
• Van Pugh South

Economic and Safety Concerns

What they're saying:

Local residents have expressed frustration, fearing the closures will hurt small businesses and reduce emergency access to the lake.

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff also weighed in, calling the situation a result of "reckless and chaotic mismanagement" by the White House. He urged federal action to reopen the parks.

Sen. Raphael Warnock said "Enough is enough with these reckless cuts" in a post on social media. 

After it was announced that less than half of the announced closures would take place, Sen. Warnock sent a new statement:

"After public outcry from myself and countless Georgians, we prevented more than half of the announced park closures from going into effect. This is welcome news for Georgia families looking forward to enjoying summer days by the lake. But because of this administration’s reckless cuts, parks are still slated to be indefinitely closed. We must continue to speak out: Enough is enough with these reckless cuts, Georgia families deserve better." 

The other side:

However, Sen. Greg Dolezal posted on social media that he also spoke to USACE and they reportedly told him that "this is not about money."

Big picture view:

Lake Lanier, the largest lake in Georgia, is a cornerstone of the U.S. Army Corps’ network of more than 400 managed lake and river projects nationwide. It attracts millions of visitors each year for boating, swimming, and camping. It has a total of 76 recreational areas. USACE operates 37 of the parks and campgrounds, 10 marinas and the Lake Lanier Islands. 

In addition to the current closures, President Trump’s 2026 federal budget includes a $1.2 billion cut to the National Park Service, putting 11 national park sites in Georgia at risk of future shutdowns.

What's next:

The Army Corps says closures will remain in place until staffing issues are resolved. Updates will be provided throughout the summer on the USACE website and social media. Visitors are encouraged to check the latest status before traveling to recreation areas.

Discover Lake Lanier, which is the official tourism and visitor information resource for the lake, says it is committed to keeping the community and visitors informed of what is open and what is closed. They are also waiting on an updated list of closures. Anyone interested in visiting the lake, can head to their website for more information. 

Additionally, other groups and official county websites (Lake Lanier covers portions of several counties) are posting information about what is open on social media. 

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