In an unprecedented move last Thursday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ordered the Sutton Lake Marina to cease all operation and have all boats removed from the mooring facility by Monday, September 2. Marina manager, Erica Whitney began notifying slip holders immediately.
While no official news release was issued by the Corps, local personnel told a reporter from the Citizens’ News on Friday that drought conditions and low water levels had created unsafe conditions to access the local facility. No notification was given on the status of the Gerald R. Freemen or Baker’s Run Campgrounds. Corps officials have stated that day use of the lake will remain open.
Sutton Lake Marina officials stated that they were prepared to build alternate access to the marina but were not allowed to do so by Corp officials.
According to social media, Summerville Marina will also close, however their date for all boats to be removed is September 7. Officals have stated that the drought nor the early closure will affect the white water rafting season.
Local boat owners were anything but happy about the sudden turn of events. “We were planning for a relaxing holiday weekend on the lake. Instead, almost all the time went to pulling our boats and helping our lake friends with theirs,” said one houseboat owner. “I have been on this lake for nearly 40 years. I’ve seen the water lower and much much higher, yet the Corps never forced anyone out. I don’t know what all the urgency was about this time. We could have enjoyed the last big holiday of the summer and then pulled boats,” he added.
Whitney apologized to her customers. “We had no choice in the matter. We have to do what the Corps says. I requested more time but was turned down, so we immediately notified our slip holders so they could be prepared.”
In addition to cutting boat owners who use the facility out of six weeks of summer recreation, the manager says the marina will suffer a significant financial loss due to the early closure. “We rely on the money we make in the final part of the season to have start up money for next year.” In addition, our employees will see their seasonal employment end early. “I hate it for our employees, many of whom rely on this income to support their families,” Whitney added.
In spite of heavy traffic on the boat ramp which created longer waits than normal, most boat owners were successful in pulling their crafts as of Monday afternoon.
