• 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.