9 Tips for Low Water Dock Safety

Many of us are getting out on the water and enjoying days on our docks and floaters despite the low water levels at SML due to the ongoing drought.  As you enjoy the lake this summer there are a few important safety precautions that need special awareness during this time of low water levels.

1. If you are inclined to use a ladder to get down on your floater from a fixed dock, use caution. Always anchor ladders at the top and bottom to prevent them from slipping away and from moving side to side. Ladders do not have handrails and require a certain amount of physical ability to navigate safely. A preferred solution would be to construct a taller set of fixed stairs. These can be constructed and anchored so that they can be removed as lake levels return to a more normal level.
2. Navigating steep shorelines and rip-rap can pose a fall hazard. Shorelines can be slick, especially when wet. Rip-rap has a very uneven surface and individual stones can dislodge when stepped on.
3. Exposed shoreline and rip-rap can have sharp objects such as construction anchors (nails and screws etc) fishing hooks and lures, scrap metal and glass. Be aware and wear protective footwear at all times along exposed shorelines. If you can do so safely, remove any sharp items that are discovered and dispose of them properly.
4. Exercise extreme caution when jumping or diving off of boats and docks. Water levels are up to 5 feet below normal. Measure water depth with a depth finder or some other kind of measurement (a simple measuring tape and a stick can work) before allowing anyone to jump or dive.
5. Wading in shallow water should also be done with caution. SML has a very uneven subsurface and drop-offs can pose a hazard to even the most experienced swimmer. Know what’s under the water before allowing anyone to wade in shallow water.
6. When lowering your watercraft, leave at least three full turns of cable (2 absolute minimum) on the rotating shaft for safety. Extending the cable to its full length can cause excess strain on the connection system and cause the cradle and watercraft to fall.
7. When using your watercraft, always know the depth of the water to ensure you do not run aground or damage your vessel. When in doubt or when the water looks brown, assume the water is too shallow. Turn around or find an alternative passage marked with channel markers. Proceed into your dock with caution and raise the motor to prevent grounding and damage to the outdrive and propeller.
8. If you take your boat off of the lift and secure it to a fixed dock or structure, make sure your lines are long enough to handle fluctuations in water levels. It’s best to tie the vessel to a floating dock if available.
9. Remember your pets. Pets that are accustomed to jumping or diving off of docks do not realize that water levels have changed! They are also now walking on shorelines and in shallow water that may have exposed hazards and sharp objects.

Smith Mountain Lake is clean and safe to enjoy, even with low water levels. However, added precautions are critical for a safe experience. Hope for more rain and please be safe. Always wear your life jacket when on the water.