UPDATE: Ocmulgee River access at Amerson River Park back open in time for July 4

UPDATE: Macon-Bibb County said Friday morning that access to the Ocmulgee River at Macon’s Amerson River Park is once again available as the flow has returned to less than 2,000 cubic feet per second.

Fire Chief Shane Edwards stated, “We want everyone to have a safe Fourth of July weekend, especially when enjoying our beautiful waterways.” Please don’t undervalue the water, use a life jacket, and pay attention to your surroundings.

According to the county, if speeds return to dangerous levels, river access will be closed. For level monitoring, visit: https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/macg1

THE FIRST STORY:

Georgia’s MACON (41NBC/WMGT) Due to hazardous flood conditions, Macon-Bibb County officials have banned access to the Ocmulgee River at Amerson River Park until further notice.

According to the news release, the river’s flow has increased to almost 3,000 cubic feet per second due to recent rainfall, which is significantly higher than what is acceptable for recreational use. Public access to the river will not be allowed until the flow falls below 2,000 cubic feet per second.

The closure occurs just a few days before the Fourth of July holiday, which is a popular time of year for outdoor activities. In order to restore access in time for the weekend, emergency personnel are keeping an eye on river levels.

The river can be hazardous in normal conditions, but as we have seen in the past, it can be particularly dangerous with high flood rates. We want folks to be cautious this Fourth of July week. According to Fire Chief Shane Edwards, the danger is simply not worth it. We will be keeping an eye on river levels hour by hour because we know that people want to get on the river as soon as possible.

The Spring Street boat ramp is still open for fishing boats exclusively, even though entrance to Amerson River Park is closed.