APPLING, Ga. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, J. Strom Thurmond Project has temporarily closed Beach #1 at West Dam Day Use Area due to a public safety concern resulting from exposed metal wires and rocks.
Beach #1 is located closest to the Thurmond Lake Dam. The metal wiring and rocks stem from previously installed Gabion Stone Baskets that have become exposed due to beach erosion. While some of the wiring and rocks have been removed, the full extent of exposure is unknown at this time. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, the beach is closed.
The beach will remain closed until all hazardous stone baskets have been removed and deemed safe for visitors. At this time, the estimated date of reopening has not been determined.
While the closure doesn’t affect the remaining areas of the park, visitors are asked to refrain from entering Beach #1. The remaining six beaches within West Dam Day Use Area remain open and are great alternatives for swimming and day use activities.
For more information, contact Henry Way, Chief Ranger, or the J. Strom Thurmond Project Office at 800-533-3478, or 864-333-1100.
To learn more about the lake before you visit, please click here: Visit Thurmond Lake.
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Release no. 24-019