We care about your safety. Before going out on the lake or near the dams, remember the following basic safety tips. 

Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio and/or sign up for Wireless Emergency Alert notifications from the National Weather Service. This will keep you informed of changing severe weather conditions. 

Hazards around the dams

  • Beware of rapid fluctuations in water levels
    • Caused by changes in generation and spillway gate operation
    • Obey warning signs present around the site
    • Use caution and be prepared to relocate quickly
  • Stay out of restricted areas such as:
    • Fenced-off areas
    • Areas protected by a buoy line
    • Within 100 yards of a dam. When on the water, stay at least 100 yards from the dams.
  • Use caution due to high currents/undertows/steep terrain
  • For emergency response use the following addresses:
    • Sunnybrook Park: 56 Lakepark Drive
    • Carpenter Dam: 399 Powerhouse Lane
    • Carpenter Dam Park Below Carpenter Dam: 301 Powerhouse Lane
    • Remmel Dam: 170 Remmel Dam Road
    • Remmel Dam Park Boat Ramp: 427 Remmel Dam Road
    • Remmel Dam Park Pavilion: 372 Remmel Dam Road
    • Remmel Dam Park Fishing Pier: 307 Remmel Dam Road
    • Ouachita River Access Below Remmel Dam: 489 McGuire Road

Boating

  • Obey all boating laws.
  • Reduce your boat’s speed in congested areas.
  • Hypothermia kills - Dress properly and always wear a life jacket.
  • Beware of shallow areas, underwater obstructions and floating debris when boating.
  • Exercise extreme caution when operating sailboats in the vicinity of overhead utility lines.
  • Obey the rules of the road when boating.
  • Alcohol mixed with boating can be lethal.
  • Children 12 years and younger must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
  • State law requires you to slow down to a speed limit of 5 mph within 100 feet of all docks, swimmers, bridges and anchored boats. Turn on your navigational lights at night.
  • Water levels above and below the dams are subject to fluctuations without warning; obey all warning signs and sirens.

Skiing

  • Skiing is dangerous for non-swimmers.
  • Always wear an approved life jacket.
  • Stay in open water and watch for swimmers.
  • Always have an observer on board.

Swimming

  • Check the water depth before you dive.
  • Swim with others - not by yourself.
  • Avoid the regular boat channels, launching ramps and docks.
  • Swim, dive and wade where you are familiar with the water depth and the bottom. 
  • Life jackets, they float -- you don’t.
  • Watch children closely.
  • Know your abilities because water distances are deceiving.
  • Never rely on toys such as inner tubes and water wings to stay afloat.