Automated payment station at Thurmond Lake makes entry easy

Published Jan. 31, 2019
The Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, recently introduced a new, automated payment station at the entrance to Clarks Hill Park in McCormick County, South Carolina, at the J. Strom Thurmond Lake. The “plastic-only” station can issue a ticket good for the day at any of the boat ramps or day-use areas at the popular reservoir near Augusta, Georgia. The payment station eliminates the need to carry exact cash to place in an “honor vault” at the ramps and is open 24-7 for early boaters. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo)

The Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, recently introduced a new, automated payment station at the entrance to Clarks Hill Park in McCormick County, South Carolina, at the J. Strom Thurmond Lake. The “plastic-only” station can issue a ticket good for the day at any of the boat ramps or day-use areas at the popular reservoir near Augusta, Georgia. The payment station eliminates the need to carry exact cash to place in an “honor vault” at the ramps and is open 24-7 for early boaters. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo)

SAVANNAH, Ga. – A new automated payment station at Clarks Hill Park at Thurmond Lake will make it easy for visitors to use credit and debit cards to use the area and other areas at the reservoir. The payment station, similar to other such devices at a number of businesses, will dispense passes allowing use and access at any of the Corps of Engineers operated day-use areas on Thurmond Lake.

The entrance to Clarks Hill Park sports the new device which went into operation on Jan. 24. The park is in McCormick County, South Carolina, along US Highway 221, about 1 mile from the Thurmond visitor center.

The new station eliminates the “honor vault” formerly used at the facility that could only accept cash. The payment station cannot accept cash, visitors wishing to pay with cash can visit the nearby visitor center during regular business hours.

“The ticket purchased at the payment station “is for the entire day, and is valid at any of our other day use areas or boat ramps,” Park Ranger Ben Werner said. “Visitors can come and go as they please for the date of purchase.”

More payment stations will eventually be installed at other convenient locations around the reservoir.

“A visitor who pays their fee at the new Clarks Hill fee station will receive a parking and fee permit that will admit them to any Corps-operated day use facility, including Lake Springs, West Dam, Scotts Ferry, Parksville, and others,” Kevin Madsen, chief ranger at Thurmond Lake said. “In other words, if you wanted to visit your favorite picnic spot in West Dam but had no cash to pay the fee at the gate house, you could stop by Clarks Hill and pay with a credit card.”

Previously the option to pay with a credit card had only been available at the visitor center during operating hours.

“Now the option to pay with a credit card is available 24-7 at Clarks Hill for all those early birds who want to get a head start on the great fishing at Thurmond Lake!” Madsen said.


Contact
Billy Birdwell, Senior Public Affairs Specialist
912-652-5014
912-677-6039 (cell)
Billy.e.Birdwell@usace.army.mil

Release no. 19-001