Needless drowning deaths of hunters who fall into lakes and streams can be prevented with a little preparation and fast thinking, according to officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District.

"Duck hunters or waterfowlers may not think of themselves as boaters, even though they use boats to position decoys in the water," said Park Ranger Asher Alexander. "They may not consider a life jacket as a necessity; but hunters drown needlessly every year."

Hunters should always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device while traveling to and from the hunting blind, according to Alexander. Camouflage life jackets are available and offer adequate flotation.

"Likewise, fisherman should always wear a PFD while fishing from a dock or a boat," he said.

In a water emergency, hip boots or waders can keep a hunter afloat for hours if the hunter takes action quickly, Alexander explained. By keeping the knees bent in a seated position, the crease will trap air inside the waders to keep the person afloat for hours, allowing the person to propel backward to return to the boat. Additionally, floating duck decoys can be held while maintaining this position to increase buoyancy. (See Illustration) Waders, however, should never be considered a replacement for a personal floatation device, Alexander said. READ MORE...

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District reminds the public to always wear a life jacket when recreating in, on, or near the water, especially during the winter months when cooler water temperatures increase the risk of hypothermia.

Hypothermia is a condition in which the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Violent shivering develops, which can lead to confusion and a loss of body movement.

Hypothermia is a significant risk factor for injury or death while boating or fishing. Cold water accelerates the onset and progression of hypothermia, since body heat can be lost 25 times faster in cold water than in cold air. Many suspected drowning victims actually die from cold exposure or hypothermia, according to information released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters and the U.S. Coast Guard. READ MORE...

The 2012 annual passes for day use lake areas managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are now available for purchase at the Hartwell visitor center. The annual pass costs $30. The new passes are valid 12 months from date of purchase and can be used at any Corps-managed day use area in the nation. Find a Corps recreation area at http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/

Corps day use areas typically include boat launch ramps, designated swimming beaches, and picnic areas. The annual day use pass does not affect campground use and fees. Annual passes sold in 2012 will have a “2013” expiration date sticker. Visitors should hang the pass from the vehicle’s rear view mirror so the expiration date on the decal will show. Open vehicles such as motorcycles or jeeps should display the decal directly on the rear view mirror, or some other easily visible location on the vehicle. For more information, contact the Hartwell visitor center at (888) 893-0678.

Nifty, nifty—Hartwell’s turning fifty! The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Hartwell Dam and Lake Project, in partnership with stakeholders around the lake, has begun planning events and activities to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of the completion of the Hartwell Project—and we need your help!

The Corps seeks contact information for former workers and contractors who were involved in the construction or pre-construction of the dam. Workers will be invited to attend a commemoration ceremony on April 27, 2012—exactly 50 years after the first generator went online at the Hartwell Power Plant. Other invitees to the ceremony will include community members, stakeholders, government officials, and Corps employees and retirees. Media are encouraged to attend the ceremony and will be given further instructions in the weeks preceding the event.

The Corps also seeks historical photographs or memorabilia related to the construction of the dam to display during the event. Any loaned items will be returned to their owners after the celebration.

Anyone with information or items they wish to include in the ceremony should contact Chief Park Ranger Zach Harkness toll-free at (888) 893-0678 ext. 310.

Other anniversary activities will be scheduled throughout the year and will be announced as details become available. News and updates will also be posted on a new 50th anniversary web page on the Corps’ Savannah District website at www.sas.usace.army.mil/50

Corps opens new biking trail at Lake Hartwell The Corps of Engineers Lake Hartwell office partnered with the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) to build a 7.6-mile multi-purpose trail at the Paynes Creek Campground area. The trail officially opened to the public during a ribbon cutting ceremony April 29. The project was funded by the Corps Handshake Partnership program, which provides a source of seed money for the Corps to construct projects in partnership with volunteer efforts from SORBA. The full story on the new trail opening will appear in the next issue of the Castle magazine early this summer.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District recently banned the use of submersible pumps on Hartwell Lake for withdrawing water for individual domestic use.

Officials instituted the ban to increase safety for users of the reservoir following the near-electrocution of a swimmer in 2010. An investigation determined a submersible pump delivered the shock to the swimmer. READ MORE...