Water Safety at
Dale Hollow Lake
Since construction, 131 drownings have occurred on Dale Hollow Lake. Of these fatalities, zero were wearing life jackets. The staff at Dale Hollow is committed to sharing the water safety message to our visitors. Help us eliminate useless drownings! Support the life jacket wear initiative and wear your life jacket when boating, swimming or in and around the water.
Simple tips that could save your life or that of someone you love:
Learn to swim
Always swim with a buddy
Swim in designated areas
Don’t rely on beach toys; they are not designed to save lives
Never dive or jump into waters
Wear a life jacket if you can’t swim or if you are just learning to swim.
Know your boat; each boat has its own purpose. Make sure you use your boat properly
Always wear a life jacket while riding on a boat
Don’t go on the boat if the operator has been drinking alcohol: Booze and boats just don’t mix!
Ride a Personal Watercraft only with an experienced adult driver
Don’t stand while a small boat is moving
Don’t sit on the gunwales or bow of a moving boat
Know your state’s laws governing boating and fishing
LIFE JACKETS FLOAT—YOU DON’T!
LIFE JACKET LOANER PROGRAM
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Dale Hollow Lake is helping keep kids safe while on the water by participating in the BoatUS Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Program for Kids! This program, made possible by the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, allows boaters to borrow a child’s life jacket for the day or the weekend, at no charge!
Here’s how the Life Jacket Loaner Program works. If you don’t have enough properly-fitting children’s life jackets on board, simply visit the registration centers at Dale Hollow Dam, Lillydale, Obey River or Willow Grove campgrounds or Pleasant Grove Day Use Area on Dale Hollow Lake and sign for a loaner infant, child, or youth jacket for the day or the weekend. When finished boating for the day, return the jackets to the same location. Dale Hollow Lake has been awarded five kits of 12 life jackets each, allowing hundreds of children to stay safer on the water. And don’t worry adults, we have life jackets for your size too!
You may contact Dale Hollow Dam Campground at (931) 243-3554; Lillydale Campground at (931) 823-4155; Obey River Campground at (931) 864-6388; Willow Grove Campground (931) 823-4285; or Pleasant Grove Day Use Area at (931) 243-3555 for office hours and times that life jackets may be borrowed. You can also contact the Office of the Resource Manager at (931) 243-3136 to learn more about Dale Hollow Lake’s participation in the program.