For immediate release:
4/21/11
Due to safety concerns, security requirements…
GRDA to relocate fishing access area below Robert S.
Kerr Dam
Locust Grove
–
Prompted by federal security requirements, the Grand River Dam Authority is
completing a project to relocate the fishing access and parking area on the
south side of the Grand River, just below Robert S. Kerr Dam.
“We realize this
fishing area has been pretty popular for many years, so we want to get the word
out as early and often as possible,” said GRDA Corporate Communications
Director Justin Alberty. “We are not closing access, just moving the parking a
little further west.”
While the new
parking lot for fishing access will be located on the hill, west and south of
the current parking area, fishermen will still be able to access riprap areas
below the dam by a fenced walkway. There are also plans to do some enhancement
work on that walkway, said Alberty.
Under requirements
set forth by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), new
fencing has been added to areas around Kerr Dam, prompting the relocation.
GRDA is asking for
the public’s cooperation with this change, and is reminding all anglers to be
aware of the warnings and notifications around its hydroelectric facilities,
added Alberty.
“We just ask the
public to please be aware of the signs in place around the dams and fishing
access areas,” said Alberty. “Safety is a top priority and these notifications
are in place to help keep the public safe.”
GRDA also offered
the following safety reminders:
- NOTIFICATION: Signs, buoys, sirens, fencing and
flashing lights are all intended to notify those in the area when
floodgates are open, genera
tors are operating or water is rising swiftly. - SIGNS: Posted at GRDA hydroelectric facility (Pen
sacola Dam, Robert S. Kerr Dam, and the Salina Pumped Storage Project) to warn of extreme danger in floodgate areas. Please be aware of other signs near GRDA facili ties that notify you of no trespassing areas, no diving areas, or unstable footing. - BUOYS: Red buoys and cabling above and below spillway gates
and hydroelectric power
house restrict access to dangerous areas associated with power generation or floodgate releases. - FLASHING LIGHTS: At hydroelectric facilities, the flashing lights are
initiated when floodgates are opened or generation is initiated.
- FENCING: In place to identify borders and to restrict access to
certain areas near the hydroelectric facilities.
- SIRENS: These are located at various locations on the
hydroelectric facilities and are utilized prior to the operation of hydro
electric generators and/or floodgates.
For more information visit GRDA online at www.grda.com.
Grand River Dam Authority News
Release
Contact: Justin
Alberty
Corporate Communications Director
Grand River Dam Authority
(918) 256 5545
# # #
Note: One
attachment shows the area as it appeared in October 2010, prior to the new
fencing project. The other image, with graphic, shows the approx location of
the new access walkway and the designated parking area.
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other individuals would like to receive occasional electronic information
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