Christmas Tree Drop-Off Stations On West Point, Allatoona

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a pair of news releases yesterday with information for those interested in turning their live Christmas trees into fish habitat. The drop-off locations are in various locations around West Point and Allatoona. Lake-specific information is below.

West Point Christmas Trees

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at West Point Lake Project announced that they will accept unwanted, live Christmas Trees for recycling beginning Dec. 26, 2021 until Jan. 10, 2022. Artificial trees will not be accepted.

The donated trees will be used to create brushpiles in the lake to improve fish habitat. The trees may be dropped off in the parking lots of Yellowjacket Boat Ramp and Sunny Point Boat Ramp in Georgia and Rocky Point Boat Ramp in Alabama.

All decorations—tinsel, lights, garland, bulbs, etc.—must be removed from the trees before dropping them off. Please place the trees in the designated locations in the parking lots. Dumping of household trash at these sites is strictly prohibited. No artificial trees.

Individuals who wish to place their own Christmas trees in the lake are reminded to avoid placing them in boating channels and to follow the guidelines below:

• Do not place the trees where they could become safety hazards to boaters or swimmers. For example, trees should not be placed near boat launching ramps, in shallow boat traffic channels or at swimming areas.

• Use a suitable anchoring system to prevent the trees from floating away or moving around. A cement block will work well as an anchor for one or two trees, but it must be securely fastened to the tree using nylon twine or similar material.

• Trees will attract more fish if they are placed in deeper water and in an area where the water depth changes significantly, such as near an underwater ridge or hump. Fish tend to use this type of area throughout the year.

Although a permit is not necessary to place a few Christmas trees in the lake, anglers who wish to install large numbers of trees or other types of structure for fishing reefs should contact the West Point Project Management Office at 706.645.2937.

For more information, please contact the West Point Project Management Office at (678) 721-6700 and on the internet at: http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Recreation/WestPointLake.aspx.

Allatoona Christmas Trees

The Allatoona Lake Project Management Office announced that they will accept unwanted, live Christmas trees for recycling beginning Dec. 26, 2021 until Jan. 8, 2022 at seven drop-off sites around the lake. Artificial trees will not be accepted.

The seven drop-off locations include:

• Allatoona Operations Project Management Office

• Victoria Day-Use Parking Area

• Galt’s Day-Use Parking Area

• Sweetwater Campground Overflow Parking Area

• Payne Boat Ramp

• Blockhouse 1 Fishing Jetty (behind the Convenience Store)

• Bethany Bridge Fishing Jetty Parking Area

All drop-off sites will be marked with signs and flagging tape.

All decorations—tinsel, lights, garland, bulbs, etc.—must be removed from the trees before dropping them off. Please place the trees in the designated locations in the parking lots. Dumping of household trash at these sites is strictly prohibited.

Park Rangers and volunteers will the trees in the lake to create fishing structures as part of the Allatoona Lake Fish Habitat Improvement Program. The program is a partnership between federal, state and local governments, as well as local organizations and businesses.

Visit the Bartow County website at www.bartowga.org or call 770.387.5167 for information on additional drop-off locations managed by Keep Bartow Beautiful.

For more information, please contact the Allatoona Lake Operations Project Management Office at 678.721.6700.