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 Special report from Ken Sturdivant: The United States Corp of Engineers has been working with the private sector to improve ramps around Lake Lanier. Many ramps out of the water now are being repaired by the Corp.
As the water rises this spring, many ramps will reopen a lot sooner as a result of the work the Corp has done.
“Adopt a Ramp” partnership
The Corp has established an “Adopt a Ramp” partnership. Within this partnership, many anglers and local businesses have created accounts to accept contributions for this partnership. Anyone can contribute to any ramp project they wish through this program.
Also, there is a “Coffer Dam” project in the works. This is a system that will allow a ramp to be extended that is marginal or even closed. By placing a “dam” around an existing ramp, drawing all the water out and then laying a new base, a new concrete ramp can be extended and then reopened. Only a few ramps have been approved for this particular project due to the slope of the water and the existence of an acceptable and workable foundation at the end of the ramp.
Michael B. Lapina is the Chief Park Ranger that initiated this set of programs. His efforts are to get many ramps repaired and even get one or two ramps re opened as the lake continues to fall. Predictions are that the lake will be 24 feet low by mid January 2008.
The Current State of the Projects
Michael sent out an e mail this week and said ”concrete was poured at East Bank Ramp by the Corps yesterday. More concrete will be poured Thursday and this supply was paid for by a group of 10 partners who were rallied by Captain Quin. Thanks to Quin and the others for coming through with the supplies to make this possible. Captain Quin has an Adopt A Ramp account for contributions. He also has a signed partnership agreement with the Corps to supply concrete for other ramps as funds become available.”
According to the Crop, should the lake rise soon and we can get 3 feet of water over the new extensions at the East Bank Ramps, the ramps will re opened. Four ramps open anywhere, is a great thing!
Candy Hammond is still diligently working with Forsyth County and with Joey Nichols, who owns Viking Concrete, to use the coffer dam to extend Charleston Park Ramp. This project is on track but they still need some funds to complete this project. The coffer dam will cost around $25,000. Contact Candy if you would like to help!
Tom Mann Jr. and Ryan Coleman have coordinated with the Corps and will be supplying the concrete to extend the ramp at Van Pugh North. Darrell Stone of the US Army Corp of Engineers thinks weather permitting, this ramp may be poured by the 2nd week in January. These anglers will have a Partnership Agreement for this project soon.
Kerry Hicks is forming a partnership with Hall County and they plan to extend the Clarks Bridge Ramp. The idea is to reuse an existing metal extension by placing it into the water after the concrete has been poured to the water level. Contact Kerry if you need more information or want to help with this project .
From Michael B. Lapina: “This is the brief summary. Much more is going on behind the scenes to make this work. Thanks so much to those who are working so diligently to make this effort to come together. Planning, getting contributions, supplies and negotiating the best deal is hard and underappreciated work. I am glad to be working with all of you! Have a Merry Christmas” Michael
If you are interested in assisting with these projects, please contact:
Capt. Quinn, 770 503 5955
Candi Hammond, 770 888 6898
Michael Lapina, 770 945 9531
Ryan Coleman, 770 356 4136
For more information, please contact
Michael B. Lapina Chief Park Ranger
US Army Corps of Engineers
Lake Sidney Lanier
P.O. Box 567
Buford, Georgia
770-945-9531
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