ROGERS, Ark. - The Army Corps of Engineers announces the addition of three new life jacket loaner stations at parks on Beaver Lake. The new loaner stations are located at designated swimming areas in Horseshoe Bend campground, Rocky Branch, and Lost Bridge North parks.
All three new life jacket loaner stations were provided by the Beaver Lake Foundation.
Until recently, the only life jacket loaner stations on the lake were at Dam Site Lake, Prairie Creek, Hickory Creek, and Horseshoe Bend day use parks.
Life jacket loaner stations are placed at various designated swimming areas at Beaver Lake for public use. The concept behind the loaner stations is to provide swimmers the opportunity to use a life jacket for the day and return it to the loaner station for someone else to use.
“Often times, visitors forget to bring their life jacket from home when they go swimming at the lake, said Chief Park Ranger, Michael Hurley. “When that happens, we’ve got them covered.”
During the summer recreation season, the number of fatalities because of drowning significantly increases. By wearing a U.S. Coast Guard Approved, properly-fitting, good-conditioned, life jacket, you drastically reduce your chances of drowning.
“Thanks to the Beaver Lake Foundation, the Corps now has another partner in water safety,” added Hurley. “It is a true testament to the foundation’s commitment to saving lives on Beaver Lake by providing the funding and resources to install the new life jacket loaner stations.”
The foundation also provides many of the life jackets used for the loaner stations.
Most of the loaner station life jackets are returned for the next person to use.
The Corps and the Beaver Lake Foundation hope to install life jacket loaner stations at all designated swimming locations on Beaver Lake in the very near future.
If you have any questions concerning the life jacket loaner stations at Beaver Lake, or if you would like more information about Beaver Lake, please visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/beaverlakeusace or call the Beaver Lake Project Office at 479-636-1210.