SAVANNAH, GA - With the rapidly-approaching 2008 recreation season, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced its opening schedule for the picnic areas and campgrounds at the J. Strom Thurmond Lake. one month later than usual.

Picnic areas opening April 1 in Georgia include Gill Point, Cherokee, Amity Park, Big Hart, Lake Springs, and West Dam Recreation Area. Parksville, located in McCormick County, SC, also open on April 1. Elijah Beach, in Clarks Hill Park will be closed temporarily for repairs to a bulkhead wall, however the rest of the park will remain open.

In addition to the picnic area openings, Broad River, Winfield and Petersburg (all sites) campgrounds will open on March 1. The remaining campgrounds including Mount Carmel, Modoc, Hawe Creek, Hester’s Ferry, Clay Hill, Big Hart, and Ridge Road open on April 1. Due to ongoing maintenance work, the Raysville campground will open on April 1.

For more information, contact the J. Strom Thurmond Project Office at 1-800-533-3478, or (864) 333-1100.