Boating safety on Lake Lanier

Georgia’s boating rules in plain English, what to watch for when the lake is low, and who to call for help.

This is a summary. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Army Corps of Engineers publish the official rules.

A line of buoys on the water in front of Buford Dam
Buoys in front of Buford Dam, at the south end of the lake. Photo: Thomson200 / Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Georgia boating law in brief

  • Anyone born on or after January 1, 1998 must complete a DNR-approved boater education course before operating a motorized boat on Georgia waters (Georgia DNR, via GON).
  • Children under 13 must wear a life jacket whenever the boat is moving, drifting or under power (Georgia DNR, via GON).
  • The blood-alcohol limit for operating a boat is 0.08, the same as driving (Office of the Governor).
  • Kayaks and paddleboards need a wearable, Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person aboard (Discover Forsyth).
  • Turn on navigation lights after sunset (Georgia DNR, via GON).

When the water is low

Check the lake level before you launch. When Lanier drops well below full pool, the lake changes:

Red clay and rocks at the water's edge on Lake Lanier
Red clay and rocks show along the shore when the water is down. Photo: Jo Anaya / Unsplash
  • Ramps can stop short of the waterline, and gravel or natural launches can become impassable (Boat Ramp Guide).
  • Before the lake filled in the 1950s, crews cut the treetops and left tall stumps standing in some areas, not far below the surface (Wikipedia).
  • Old roadbeds and shoals that are deep at full pool can sit just under your hull.

Give these places extra room

  • Anything marked by a hazard buoy: a white buoy with an orange diamond marks danger such as rocks or shoals.
  • Swim beaches and roped-off swimming areas.
  • Crowded coves on Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day weekends, the lake’s busiest (GetMyBoat).

Storms

Summer thunderstorms build fast over the lake. Check the weather alerts before you go out, and head in when you hear thunder.

Drones

Drone use and commercial filming at Lake Sidney Lanier need approval from the Army Corps of Engineers first (LakeLanier.com).

Help on the water

  • In an emergency, call 911.
  • Plan your route with the Lake Lanier boat GPS: depths at today’s level, the Corps’ low-water hazards, and a live trip link for someone on shore.
  • Forgot life jackets? Look for the free life-jacket loaner stations around the lake (Lakeside News).