Corps Waives Day Use Fees at Lake Thurmond for Veterans Day

Corps Waives Day Use Fees at Lake Thurmond for Veterans Day

In honor of Veterans Day, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Savannah District will waive day use fees for all veterans, active and reserve component service members, and their families at Corps-managed recreation areas throughout the Veterans Day holiday weekend, Nov. 9 through Nov. 11.

The fee waiver requires only verbal confirmation of service and is applicable at any USACE-operated day use area nationwide. Locally, the waiver applies to Hartwell Lake (Hartwell, Ga.) and J. Strom Thurmond Lake (Clarks Hill, S.C.). Recreation areas at Richard B. Russell Lake (Elberton, Ga.) are operated by state and local governments; however, those parks are encouraged, but not required, to offer the fee waiver for the holiday weekend.

The waiver covers fees for USACE-operated boat launch ramps and swimming beaches. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities such as group picnic shelters. The Corps of Engineers does not charge an entrance fee to access its parks.

The Corps of Engineers first began the Veterans Day fee waiver in 2006 as a way to honor the men and women who have served our nation and the armed forces.

“We are incredibly thankful to all veterans, active and reserve military members, and their families for their loyalty and selfless service to our nation,” said Joe Melton, natural resources specialist who oversees recreation at Corps projects along the Savannah River Basin. “We are honored to provide a fee waiver for not just Veterans Day, but for the entire Veterans Day weekend in support of our nation’s heroes.”

For a list of USACE day use areas at Hartwell Lake, visit the Hartwell Lake webpage at: http://1.usa.gov/16h4hTL

For a list of USACE day use areas at Thurmond Lake, visit the Thurmond Lake webpage at: http://1.usa.gov/17TUVur

Nationally, the Army Corps of Engineers is the largest federal provider of outdoor recreation, with more than 2,400 recreation areas located at 422 lake and river projects. To discover the USACE recreation site nearest you, please visit http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visitors/visitors.cfm