Collinsville Beach closes today, others close after Labor Day

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Aug. 23, 2002
Collinsville Beach closes for the year today because of low water, but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to keep other Okatibbee Lake beaches open through Labor Day.
Jack R. Huntley, the Corps' operations manager at Okatibbee Lake, said Thursday that low water prompted the early closing of Collinsville Beach. Boat ramps and picnic areas will remain open.
At Collinsville Beach, he said, the swimming area became so shallow that some people may want to go further out into the lake something that isn't particularly safe.
Huntley said water level at the other two beaches, Pine Springs and West Bank, are about 6 inches lower than normal for this time of year. But, he said, they aren't as low as Collinsville Beach.
Traditionally all of the beaches at Okatibbee are closed after Labor Day.
The Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department has a contract with the Corps to assign a deputy during late afternoons and weekends in the summer to monitor campgrounds and beach areas.