Pine Flat Lake to get debris barrier

The Army Corps of Engineers will install a debris barrier across Pine Flat Lake to catch debris washing down from the Rough fire burn area in winter storms.

The fire burned more than 150,000 acres in the lake’s watershed. Heavy winter storms are forecast, and debris could pose a safety risk for the dam and boaters, the Corps said.

The floating barrier will be placed downstream of the Trimmer Springs Recreation Area boat ramp.

Installation will occur within 30 days.

The barrier will be anchored near the high-water mark on the shoreline, and debris will be regularly removed.

Boaters will not be able to cross the barrier from the main body of the lake but can access the upper end of the lake by launching at Trimmer Springs.

The barrier will remain in place until the river flow subsides for the season and is no longer needed.

“We understand placement of the debris barrier will cause an inconvenience to some of our boaters but hope safer boating conditions throughout the rest of the lake will help outweigh this inconvenience,” said Pine Flat Lake park manager Jeromy Caldwell.

This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Pine Flat Lake to get debris barrier."