Macon-Bibb closes Ocmulgee River access at Amerson Park ahead of Memorial Day weekend

With the Ocmulgee River flowing at unsafe speeds, Macon-Bibb County officials have closed access at Amerson River Park to protect holiday weekend visitors.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb County has closed access to the Ocmulgee River, “especially in Amerson River Park,” due to dangerously fast water flow, according to a news release from the county.

As of Friday afternoon, the river was flowing at 3,000 cubic feet per second. Access will remain closed until the flow drops below at least 2,000 cubic feet per second and the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department deems it safe to reopen.

“We’ve been looking at the speed of the river, and our Dive Team has already had to help a couple get off the river,” Macon-Bibb County Fire Department Chief Shane Edwards said. “It’s just not safe to have people boating and floating through this area. We know this is a busy weekend for people to be on the river, but our first priority is making sure people are safe.”