‘Dangerous’ water levels at Ocmulgee River cause Macon’s Amerson River Park to close
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Hurricane Helene
Weather officials upgraded Tropical Storm Helene to a Hurricane Wednesday, September 25, 2024. There are hurricane watches, tropical storm watches and flood watches in effect across nearly all of Georgia until Friday, September 27.
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The Ocmulgee River in Macon could see its highest water levels in decades, according to the National Weather Service.
As a result, Amerson River Park temporarily closed due to “dangerous” water conditions in its Ocmulgee River around 12 p.m. Friday, according to Michael Glisson, director of Macon-Bibb County’s Parks and Beautification Department.
“While the storm has passed, we are expecting the Ocmulgee River to rise to a dangerous level, therefore we closed the entire park,” Glisson said. “We will reassess as soon as we are able and open the park when we determine it is safe for everyone to enjoy.”
The park will remain closed until crews determine it is safe reopen, according to Michael Glisson, director of the county’s Parks and Beautification Department.
The river’s record water level was 35 feet during a flood in 1994, according to previous reporting by The Telegraph.
The river’s water level was noticeably higher Friday than it was Thursday after about 8 inches of rain. On the river, a boat ramp at a trailhead on the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail was almost totally submerged by the rising waters Friday. Tree debris was also visible in the current.
Reporter Lucinda Warnke contributed to this story.
This story was originally published September 27, 2024 at 1:08 PM.
