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ACWORTH - Blue sky, a light breeze and 80-degree weather made Monday a great day to be on Lake Allatoona, and leaders of the lake Preservation Authority took full advantage as they toured with Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Marietta).

"After being in a level-four drought, you look at water the same way you look at gasoline. It is an asset you can't afford to squander," Gingrey said.

"This is a real treasure in the 11th Congressional district," Gingrey said. "It is so important to people in this part of Georgia, particularly the three counties - Cobb, Bartow and Cherokee," for flood control, drinking water and recreation.

About 15 people were on Monday's cruise, including representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers, the Lake Allatoona Marina Association, and the Allatoona Yacht Club. LAPA has sponsored the congressional cruise since 2000.

The lake was at 838.52 feet on Monday, less than two feet below full summer pool of 840 feet.

Before the cruise, Corps leaders showed Gingrey one of the campgrounds that has been closed because there is no money to maintain it.

The site saddened Gingrey, who recalled how much fun he had taking his four children there when they were young, he said. Gingrey said he would pursue federal financing to keep the parks "open and viable."

"I'm very much in favor of the Corps being able to keep the user fee they collect from the patrons," Gingrey said.

Now, he said, the money goes into the national treasury and sometimes gets used elsewhere.

"The use here is tremendous, and the infrastructure needs to be maintained," he said.

Tim Rainey, a project manager with the Corps, pointed out other problems, such as shoreline erosion. The Corps' hydropower plant on the lake is also "in need of major rehabilitation."

Ron Papaleoni, LAPA general manager, said the cruise allows the authority and others to discuss such issues as erosion control with Gingrey and his staff in a relaxed setting.

"We want to refamiliarize the Congressman with the issues and good things that are going on at the lake, and it's a chance for the stakeholders to get together," Papaleoni said. "With this, we get (Gingrey) in a social environment and talk openly. He can't get away from us."

And despite the problems, Rainey was among those who saw a lovely lake.

"It's gorgeous," he said. "It is nice that it's at this level for the holiday weekend."

ahungerford@mdjonline.com

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