No more parties at the reservoir

The owners of the Bear Creek Reservoir are prepared to spend up to $12,000 to keep the good old boys from partying, fishing, drinking and getting into mischief on reservoir property.

It seems that someone has discovered a honey hole in the Middle Oconee River near the pumps that bring river water into the reservoir. Some late-night trespassing, fishing, a little alcohol and loud music have the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority worried about its liability and about damage to its property and equipment. A burglary on an adjacent parcel doesn’t help.

“The Operations Committee feels there is definitely a need for fencing,” reported Chris Thomas, committee chairman, to the full authority last Thursday.

According to Thomas, people have used four-wheelers to create a simple road down to the river off Hwy. 330 at the river pump station – driving right around a series of “Private Property, No Trespassing” signs.

“There are several people that posted signs don’t mean anything to,” noted member Elton Collins of Commerce.

As of last Thursday, Thomas said a couple of vendors have looked at the site in preparation for submitting a bid. He speculated that the work could be done for about $10,000.