Last week’s heavy rains are now taking their toll on Lake Lanier recreation sites.

The Army Corps of Engineers expected to close many area parks, boat ramps and beaches Monday and today as result of the lake level rising above 1,073 feet above sea level and especially as it tops 1,074 feet as expected.

Lanier’s normal winter full pool is 1,070 feet.

As of Monday afternoon, the level was at 1,073.63 feet, but with rainfall moving toward the lake in creeks and streams, it is expected to top 1,074 feet by today.

Officials expected to close by today day-use beaches at Van Pugh North Park at 6838 Gaines Ferry Road and Old Federal Park at 6175 Jim Crow Road.

Also likely getting closed are entire parks: Sardis Creek at 2991 Antioch Church Road, Little Ridge at 3295 Lanier Beach South Road, Lula at 6600 Lula Road, Long Hollow at 8525 Bryant Road, Simpson at 3235 Simpson Park Road and Robinson at 3555 Robinson Road.

“Parks start going underwater between 1,074 and 1,075 (feet),” Chief Ranger Chris Arthur said. “You start having water come up in the parking lots.”

Boat ramps have been closed at Toto Creek Park at 154 Toto Creek Park Road, Nix Bridge Park at 2367 Nix Bridge Road and Thompson Creek Park at 600 Thompson Creek Park Road.

Arthur said he expected boat ramps to close late Monday at Van Pugh South at 6749 Gaines Ferry Road, Little River at 2665 Little River Park Road, Thompson Bridge at 372 Dunlap Landing Road, Bolding Mill at 4055 Chestatee Road, Little Hall at 3501 Dawsonville Highway and Keiths Bridge Park at 9270 Old Keith Bridge Road.

The biggest concern for the corps from flooding is the debris, Arthur said.

A cleanup effort could be in store, “but also you have to worry about it tearing up our docks,” he said.

Elsewhere on Lake Lanier, flooding is taking place at the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue at Clarks Bridge Park in Gainesville.

“I’ve never seen (the water level) this high before ever,” venue manager Morgan House said.

He said he spent about six hours Monday cleaning up, especially as debris built up on the plaza side off the venue, which is off Clarks Bridge Road/Ga. 284.

“The bottom part of the plaza is about 2 inches underwater,” House said.

Those hoping for a dry spell are going to have hang on a little longer.

Several inches of rain could fall through Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Peachtree City.

Mostly cloudy skies are forecast through Friday, then sunshine should return Saturday and Sunday, according to the weather service.