U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alabama River Lakes

Even strong swimmers struggle to survive after falling into cold water. Ensure that you return home to those you love by wearing a properly-fitted life jacket when in, on, or near open water (lakes, rivers, ponds, etc.)

Do you need a fun activity to do with your family while you’re decorating for the holidays? Visit www.Bobber.info to create some, easy-to-make, Bobber the Water Safety Dog ornaments. Watch some Bobber cartoons with the kids while you're on the website, even adults enjoy them.

Today, on World Soil Day, we celebrate the unsung hero beneath our feet: Soil. 🌍🌱 It's the foundation of our ecosystems, a vital player in our food chains, and a key to sustaining life on our planet. Let's pledge to nurture and protect it for future generations.

🌲🚣‍♀️🎣🥾 Embrace the great outdoors on December 2nd - National Play Outside Day! From kayaking to hiking, let's celebrate the joy of nature's playground. Share your adventure with us!

If you fall into cold water, your body loses heat quickly and you will have approximately 10-minutes of meaningful movement. Wearing a life jacket increases your chances to be rescued so .

During the fall and winter season deer-car accidents happen very often due to the rut. Male and female deer are much more active during these months. About 1.5 million deer-car accidents happen every year causing more than $1 billion in losses. When driving at dawn or dusk, when deer are more active, slow down, honk your horn if you see a deer near the road and drive on the inner lane rather than the outter.

Share your photos or vidoes to be featured in the future.

As the weather is getting cooler we encourage you to take a look at these 10 winter boating tips:

Winter Boating Safety: Navigate Cold Waters with Confidence - Sea Tow Foundation The Sea Tow Foundation's mission is to provide access to education, tools and resources to eliminate preventable recreational boating accidents and deaths.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at the Alabama River Lakes! 🦃 As we enjoy this time of gratitude with friends and family, let's remember to stay safe on and off the water. Always wear a life jacket when boating, just like our feathered friend here. Ensure your holiday is a memorable for all the right reasons: celebrate responsibly, travel safely, and look out for each other.

Mobile District and partners study Alabama River It is said when you face a problem that, sometimes, it is best to have more than one person working to try and figure out a solution.

From “SmartStart for Paddlers” and applicable to all boaters. Know before you go.

The image says it all.

Veterans, THANK YOU for your service to our country and protecting our freedom. If you are going out on the water this weekend, please wear a life jacket and dress for the water temperature not the air temperature.

Falls are a major cause of boating deaths. In the past 3 years, according to U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating statistics, 32% of deaths are from falls, either in a vessel, overboard, or being ejected from a vessel. Expect the Unexpected, .

More hunters die from drowning each year than from gunshot wounds, but surprisingly some don’t consider themselves boaters. Wearing a life jacket and engine cutoff device is critical for those who use boats in pursuit of any activity on the water.

When the weather turns cold, animals seek out a warm shelter to spend the winter. These places are called hibernaculums. Reptiles and amphibians will often come together in the hundreds or thousands in underground hibernaculums. Bears and other mammals will seek refuge in a cave or other shelter.

Suddenly entering cold water can cause you to gasp and inhale water. Dress in layers to help insulate your body from cold water temperatures. Wet clothes will not weigh you down in the water and can help you float, especially if you’re wearing a life jacket.

Come out to the Central Alabama Fair held in Selma! Stop by to our booth and grab some water safety items!

So excited to announce all of the great events we will be hosting this year at the fair!! Hope to have a large crowd every night.

Before heading out for Halloween festivities, make sure your children know who to contact or where to go in case of an emergency.

Be prepared, not scared!

A big congratulations to the 2023 Best Decorated Site Winners! At Prairie Creek the McClouds were chosen for their ellaborate display. Gunter Hill Antioch was the Deavers for their fishing boat. Gunter Hill Catoma winner was the Barkers and their pumpkin display!
We want to thank everyone for coming out this year and we look forward to 2024!

Please make sure that every life jacket fits its wearer and water activity they are doing. It must fit snugly, yet comfortable. After putting it on, pull up on the shoulders to ensure it doesn’t slip above your chin or ears.

Today is National Pumpkin Day!
Don't have a pumpkin to carve this year? We have you covered! Just head over to http://www.bobber.info/ to print off your very own Jack-O-Lantern!

Breeding Population of Endangered Northern Long-eared Bats Discovered in Coastal Alabama | Outdoor Alabama Official Web Site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Prizes are ready for this year’s Halloween Event! We have tumblers made by Kelli and a free night of camping for the best decorated sites at Prairie Creek and Gunter Hill!

It is National Bat Appreciation Week! The Northern Yellow Bat is one of 16 bat species found in Alabama. Despite the myth, bats are not blind. All bats can see and use sight to navigate across long distances. Bats can also see during the day. While flying, the bat emits through its nose or slightly opened mouth a continuous series of supersonic sounds (about 30 to 60 squeaks per second) that bounce off objects and are picked up by the bat's complex ears. From the way the sounds are interpreted, the bat determines size, location, density, and movement of the object it approaches. This allows it to identify and catch its insect prey.

Send us your photos for a chance to be featured next week!

Parents, teachers, caregivers! Looking for a fun Halloween activity?

Download Bobber's Life Jacket-o'-lantern paper model activity at http://Bobber.info.
Available now but only for a limited time!

You need the right gear for any sport, including paddling. Wearing the right life jacket and other equipment that is designed for your particular type of water recreational activity can make your time in and on the water even more fun, so

Wearing a life jacket whenever you’re hunting, fishing, boating, swimming, or playing in open water (lakes, rivers etc.) helps ensure that you can keep on living the good life enjoying the water.

Sunset from Millers Ferry!
Alabama Beautiful!!!

If you haven't already, please stop by our booth at the Alabama National Fair!

YOUR 2023 WINNER OF GREAT ALABAMA 650 — Trey Reaves!!

6 days, 1 hour, 31 minutes!

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, in the past three years (2020-2022), falls overboard, falls in vessel, and ejections contributed to 32% of all boating fatalities. Don’t let nature’s call become an overboard fall.

Great Alabama 650 Day 4 Race Summary! The top 3 have changed again, but our race leader, Salli O'Donnell battles on at mile 370 (as of 3pm). All racers have cleared checkpoint one and received Elmore County Economic Development Authority painted paddles for reaching Elmore County. Look out for the main pack at Selma tomorrow as they battle to reach checkpoint 2 at Millers Ferry by Friday at 10am. Race Director Greg Wingo says, "The front coming in on Thursday/Friday could really change up the bay conditions for the racers this weekend." Stay up to date on the race by following Great Alabama 650 and watch up-to-the-minute updates on our website at AL650.com!