After Multiple Drownings At Lake Lanier This Year, Officials Issue Warning

HALL COUNTY, GA — The Hall County Sheriff’s Office shared a safety message Tuesday afternoon for anyone wanting to celebrate the July 4 weekend at Lake Lanier.

Since Memorial Day, four people have drowned, said the sheriff’s office. Three of those drownings happened in one week.

“If part of your lake time includes consumption of adult beverages, make sure you have a designated boat operator," the Hall County Sheriff's Office said.

According to Forsyth County News, the most recent reported drowning was June 24. A man drowned in Lake Lanier at Vanns Tavern Park, the news outlet reported. Another man drowned June 23, an Atlanta man drowned June 18, and a 19-year-old from Stone Mountain drowned at Margaritaville.

The Forsyth County Fire Department said there are tragedies on Lake Lanier every year from people trying to either swim out to islands or across coves. They want to remind people that distance across water is further than it seems.

Swimmers might have to go against strong currents and waves, according to The Georgia National Park Service.

“Swimmers, even experienced ones, quickly become tired and are unable to swim back to shore," park officials said.

Each year, an average of 650 people die in boating-related accidents in the United States, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said in a news release. More than 75 percent of these fatalities are caused by drowning, and most accidents are triggered by boater error or poor judgment, rather than mechanical or environmental factors, the release stated. In Georgia alone, there were 14 boating-related fatalities, 67 injuries, and 114 incidents in 2021, according to officials.

Capt. Chris Hodge, a supervisor for DNR’s coastal law enforcement Region 6, said boaters can help keep themselves and others safe by following a few simple rules while enjoying the Peach State’s waters.

“Whether you’re out on saltwater estuaries or freshwater lakes and rivers, safety should always be on your mind,” Capt. Hodge said in a statement. “It starts with wearing a life jacket. Over 85 percent of drowning victims would likely still be alive today if they’d been properly wearing their life jackets. The law says you must have a serviceable life jacket on board for every person on your boat, and we encourage people to actively wear them.”