During its work session at 9 a.m. Monday, the Hall County Board of Commissioners will hear from the Hall County Engineering Division and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about the feasibility of extending some of the closed boat ramps on Lake Lanier.

At the July 21 work session, Doug Aiken of the Hall County Taxpayer Association suggested the commission look into repairing some of the closed ramps as a way to bring in more revenue to the county from boaters before the summer ends.

People are not able to use these ramps, because with the water level so low, the current ramps end before reaching the water. Aiken said the water needs to be about 36 inches deep to launch boats.

Aiken said with gravel and inmate labor, Hall County could have the Bolding Mill and Dunlap Landing ramps back in action for $2,000 to $2,500. Both properties were closed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers when the water level became too low for use.

Those ramps have been evaluated and the findings will be presented before the commission Monday.

Dawson County faced a similar dilemma when boat launching ramps there were closed by the corps. The county faces having to close another ramp soon, as the water levels are hampering the use of the boat ramp at War Hill Park.

Dawson County Manager Kevin Tanner supported a permanent ramp extension over the temporary gravel extension Hall County is considering.

His proposal would entail waiting until the water reaches a low enough level, usually in late August to September, to work on the ramp, costing about $3,000.

At least two other ramps on Lake Lanier have been extended through private efforts, including one at Clarks Bridge Park and one in Forsyth County.

Fishing enthusiasts have said the Clarks Bridge ramp is busy most every weekend because it is the only usable boat ramp in Hall County.

The lack of usable boat ramps also has been a factor in the corps limiting the number of fishing tournaments it authorizes on the lake.

At Hall County’s Monday work session, there also will be reports from the tax commissioner, fire services, central communications/E911, public works, purchasing and planning and zoning.