Many Spend Holiday Weekend at Lake

Six individuals were arrested on Jackson Lake and charged with boating under the influence (BUI) over the holiday weekend, according to a spokesperson with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Over all of Middle Georgia the number of people arrested for BUI increased more than five times over the past Memorial Day weekend, with a total of 17 charged versus only three last year, according to a report in the Macon Telegraph.

DNR Officer Wil Smith, who worked Jackson Lake over the weekend, reported that traffic was heavy due to the holiday weekend but seemed to be down slightly from the same holiday last year.

Ranger Smith reported there were no injuries or accidents, however a boat with four children and two adults did sink near the dam. The cause was from a rogue wave from a personal watercraft that swamped the boat. Other boaters rushed to the rescue and everyone was safe. DNR even managed to get a rope on the boat and save it.

Officer Smith said, “Our goal every weekend is to make sure everyone gets home safely from the lake, and if that happens we consider it as a success.”