With Lake Lanier’s water levels back near average, its boat ramps and beaches are open, the campgrounds are full and vacationers are out in full force.

The problem? The economy and job cutbacks have stretched law enforcement and maintenance staff thin.

"When I first got here, we had 26 rangers, and now we have 16 patrolling all parts of the lake," said Chris Arthur, chief ranger of park operations for the Army Corps of Engineers. "We still patrol everything, but it does spread us out more. We usually take sides of the lake and divide it between shifts."

On holiday weekends, such as the recent July Fourth celebration, about 300,000 people visit the lake.

"I can see a significant difference in the amount of people this year than last year," Arthur said. "All campgrounds were full, day-use facilities were full, and last year at this time it just wasn’t that way. Our designated beach areas are open, which is good for safety. Last year, people were just swimming where they could find water."

Increased lake use may be attributed to lower gas prices as well, said Sgt. Johnny Johnson of the Department of Natural Resources.

"Last year and the year before, were definitely affected, and high gas prices then could be a big part of that," he said. "But all the boat traffic is back and private docks are floating."

More water also means fewer hazards in the water.

"There are a certain amount of boating incidents regardless of whether people are hitting objects. They tend to be more cautious about that," Johnson said. "But we’re always out looking for alcohol and impaired driving because it’s the No. 1 cause of boating accidents."

Cutbacks are affecting the department’s staffing as well.

"We have them like any state agency, but it hasn’t impacted the amount of patrol, just where we post people," Johnson said. "We have to go to where the highest demand is."

Staffing concerns are also hitting local parks.

"It’s been pretty rough lately with more people in the parks, especially when the county gives us furlough days," said Hazel Thomas, maintenance supervisor for Hall County Parks and Recreation Services. "Because they’re usually aligned with holidays, it puts us behind on our work with trash and bathrooms."

Thomas assigns workers to clean on the weekend and in the mornings, and others prepare areas for rental space and outdoor fields for baseball and softball games. Graffiti is appearing more often, too.

"I’m shorthanded and can’t hire any more, and we’re down two people right now," she said. "But I like seeing people coming out and enjoying it. That’s the point of it all."