APPLING, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – While many in our area got to celebrate Labor Day off the clock, there was no rest for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Officials say they have their hands full watching for anyone breaking the law out on the water, as well as being the first to respond to any emergencies.

Georgia DNR says this weekend has been a slower Labor Day weekend than in years past.

People are getting out on the water before a change in seasons.

“It’s been a lot slower here. Within the past two years that I’ve been here at Clarks Hill Lake, we have seen a variety of new, upcoming boaters, and people putting on water. Had never put on water, buying people new boats,” said Game Warden Thomas Ledford.

But even though they’ve seen newer boaters, Ledford says, “Normally, this is the last major weekend of boating, but for our local lake, Clark’s Hill, it’s just been down as far as population-wise, for the lake boat traffic “

The number of BUIs, accidents and drownings is zero this year for Labor Day weekend, compared to one accident, one BUI and one drowning last year.

“Of course, we enforce the lake very heavily, especially during these holiday weekends, we’ve been fortunate enough to have a very safe Labor Day weekend, and we haven’t had any major incidences. “Everybody’s been cooperating, but I believe that has come from our enforcement over the past few years,” said Ledford.

But Georgia DNR says that even though there have been fewer people on the water, campgrounds have been full all summer. Those expenses and lower lake levels could play a role in why there have been fewer people on Clarks Hill.

“It’s more of when the lake starts getting low, more land exposed. “There’s a lot of Shoals that are underwater that are now exposed, and that’s going to contribute to the fact I don’t really want to get out on the water, because they don’t want to hurt their vessel,” said Ledford.

He also says they plan on stopping between 50 and 70 boats this weekend.

“Every boat that we’ve come in contact with has a tube. They’re tubing with kids on the back. The main thing about that is you always have to have an observer or a wide-angle mirror. Somebody’s got to be watching those kids,” he said.

DNR says ultimately, they’re here to look out for you. They say to be cautious and smart while you’re out having fun on the water.

“Safety is our number one concern here on Clarks Hill Lake,” said Ledford.

Even though it has been slower out on the water, we still have many more warm days ahead to enjoy time on the lake.

DNR recommends looking at their safety booklets around the lake or on their website.

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