Low water this weekend: Use Caution

With Memorial Day fast approaching boaters are urged to be cautious in low-water conditions at Lake Barkley this weekend.


Lake Barkley’s current level is at 357.4 feet, which is 1.6 feet below normal for this time of year.


Boaters should use caution and be on the lookout for obstructions that may be exposed or just beneath the water. Here are some additional safety tips that may be helpful to the public in low-and-normal water conditions. 


Boaters 
-- Stay within the marked navigational channels
-- Obey all posted signs, markers and navigational aids for your safety. Note that navigation buoys sometime drift off station. A navigation chart should be used to identify buoy locations.
-- Exercise caution at all times. Be on the lookout for shoals, stumps, or other navigational hazards that may now be exposed or lying just beneath the surface
-- Navigation maps are available for sale at local outdoor stores and department stores
-- Utilize depth finders if available
-- Wearing a life jacket can save your life
-- Boat sober - alcohol and water can be a deadly combination
-- Use caution around dams
-- Know before you go - be aware of the weather and the low-water conditions 
Swimmers 
-- Don’t swim in unfamiliar areas
-- Never dive from the shoreline, bank or structures
-- Be aware of underwater hazards such as stumps, rocks or other objects
-- Never swim alone
-- Don't exceed your swimming abilities - it's farther than you think
-- Watch your children closely
-- Lake swimming is different than being in a pool with the currents, varying water depths, and murky water. Be prepared for these conditions
-- Wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket
-- Don’t depend on floating or air-filled toys 
Water Skiers and Tubers 
-- Check the area for underwater hazards prior to activity
-- Stay within navigational channels
-- Have a responsible spotter
-- Wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket