Corps reopens beaches, group use areas on Ouachita
The Vicksburg District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reopened beaches, swimming areas, picnic shelters, pavilions and group use areas at Lake Ouachita, Lake Greeson and DeGray Lake on Wednesday while incorporating “preventive health measures,” including wearing face masks.
Eric Jenkins, Lake Ouachita Project manager, told The Sentinel-Record the decision to reopen these areas was made after discussions with various state agencies, such as Arkansas State Parks.
“We’re excited to welcome the folks back to the lake,” he said.
Visitors to beaches and swimming areas are “encouraged to follow all guidance from local, state and federal officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That guidance includes practicing social distancing and wearing face masks when not in the water,” the Corps of Engineers said in a news release.
Information about the number of visitors in a
group will be requested during the reservation process for picnic shelters, pavilions and group use areas, the release said, and visitors to these areas “must follow state directives for gatherings at large outdoor venues.”
“The park rangers will be out,” Jenkins said when asked if the park will enforce the new rules. “The bad thing is that park rangers can’t be everywhere. Visitors will have to be responsible. We just encourage them to do their part to reduce risks.”
“Signs with information about COVID-19 symptoms, measures to prevent the spread of the virus and social distancing have been installed in key locations at each facility, including shower houses, comfort stations, fee booths, bulletin boards, beaches, access roads, day use area parking lots and pavilions. Park rangers and other lake personnel are taking recommended precautions to reduce risk for visitors as well as themselves,” the release said.
Jenkins said the signs encourage visitors to keep a social distance between each other, noting, “On top of that, as always, we encourage people to practice water safety, at all times on the lake.”
“After consulting with our local and state partners and other USACE offices, including the Little Rock District, we have decided to reopen select recreation areas at our Arkansas lakes,” USACE Vicksburg District Commander Col. Robert Hilliard said in the release.
“The health and safety of our team, our community and our visitors remain our top priority, and we are taking measures to reduce risk. The pandemic is an ongoing and fluid challenge, and we will continue to monitor conditions and adjust operations as needed. We are eager to welcome visitors back to our facilities and thank them for their understanding.”
Jenkins said visitation numbers have been good at the park, and they expect this to continue. “We’ve had a lot of visitors all spring (and) we expect a lot of people to come to the lake,” he said.
Campgrounds and their accompanying amenities at Lake Ouachita, Lake Greeson and DeGray Lake reopened May 20, and reservations and payments for select campsites must be made in advance at Recreation.gov.
Up-to-date information about campgrounds and other recreation operations is available at https://go.usa.gov/xwfVT.
Boat ramps, nature trails and fishing areas as well as nearby amenities remain open. Applications for special use permits will be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis. The collection of all day use fees has been suspended until Oct. 1.
“All playgrounds, visitor centers, field offices, amphitheaters and drinking fountains will remain closed until further notice. Interpretive programs will remain suspended until further notice,” the release said.
For more information about operational changes, the public can call Lake Ouachita at 501767-2101; DeGray Lake at 870246-5502; or Lake Greeson at
870-285-2151.