News Release

Entrance Fees Fund Safety Improvements at Powers Island

Date: March 6, 2023
Contact: Chip Bradley, 678-538-1301

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. – Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) is proud to announce the start of construction on March 6, 2023, to repair the Powers Island step-down ramp at Cochran Shoals. The Park is using revenue from entrance fees to address safety concerns and improve the visitor experience at this popular river access.

The step-down ramp at Powers Island is an important access to the river for tubers, rafters, and paddlers and the existing ramp is in critical need of repair. The project will use your entrance fees to restore a safe river amenity. Please avoid this area throughout the entire construction period and visit other local ramps to access the Chattahoochee River. The bridge leading from the parking lot to Powers Island will be construction access only and closed to the public during construction. We expect the step-down ramp to be completed and ready for the 2023 summer season.

80% of all revenue from Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area entrance fees or the local sales of the various Federal Interagency Passes stays right here in the park to fund this type of visitor-related project. The other 20% of collected fees goes into a larger, shared fund which can be used by parks with no entrance fee or very low fee revenues. 100% of all entrance fees collected in national park units are returned to the National Park Service. Entrance fees at CRNRA have been used in the past to fund sign replacement throughout the park, the restrooms at Cochran Shoals, the BacteriALERT program, and a boundary survey.