Annual passes for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers day use areas/boat ramps are available. Thepasses are $30 each and are valid for one year from the date of purchase. The pass allows unlimited nationwide use of all day use/boat ramp fee areas managed by the Corps. Passes may be purchased in person at the Hartwell Lake Visitor Center (using cash, check or credit card), by phone (using credit card) toll-free at 888-893-0678, or by mail (using check or credit card). Annual passes are also available at Corps operated campground gatehouses and staffed day use area gatehouses as well as Richard B. Russell and J. Strom Thurmond Lake Offices.

Each year people drown on area lakes. Ninety percent of drownings would have been prevented if the victims had been wearing a life jacket. There are many new styles of life jackets available today which are much more comfortable and cooler than older models; many are designed for specific activities and you might want to look into Coast Guard approved inflatable life jackets. Check out new life jackets at sporting goods stores near you or online.

Twin Lakes Campground, located in Pickens Co., S.C., will now be open year round. The campground is conveniently located near Clemson, Anderson, and I-85. "The decision to keep Twin Lakes campground open came about through customer comments and the popularity of Twin Lakes Campground during the spring, summer, and fall," said Tanya Grant, Hartwell park ranger." The campground previously closed on Nov. 30 and re-opened April 1 every year. Sites 25 through 58 have been winterized and are now open for camping. The rest of the campground will open on April 1," said Grant. Another Corps campground, Watsadler, located in Hart Co., Ga., on the lower end of the lake is also open year round. Campsites at both campgrounds can be reserved by calling the National Recreation Reservation Service toll-free at 877-444-6777, or online at www.recreation.gov. For questions concerning campgrounds or Hartwell Lake, contact the Corps’ Hartwell Dam and Lake Office toll free at 888-893-0678 or (706) 856-0300.

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