Boating traffic around Lake Martin was predictably light this past weekend, but Alabama Marine Police Capt. Matt Brooks said he expects that to change this Fourth of July weekend.
Brooks said boating traffic on the lake is always slow the weekend before a big holiday like the Fourth of July.
“We are bracing for one of the busiest (Fourth of July) weekends we’ve seen in quite some time,” he said.
Grills will be fired up as well as thousands of boaters out on the lake to enjoy the holiday weekend.
Brooks expected a large number of boats last year, but said there were not nearly the number of boats on Lake Martin as in years past.
“I don’t know if it was the economy with the high gas prices or what, but I expect a much larger crowd this year.”
There will be plenty of activities around the area lakes with fireworks displays scheduled near the Lake Martin Amphitheater, Lake Jordan and the Coosa River in downtown Wetumpka.
Before the fireworks display at Lake Martin, Russell Lands on Lake Martin will present the second installment of its summer concert series with Nationwide Coverage headlining the Fourth of July concert.
And prior to Monday’s concert, Russell Marine will present its annual Boat Parade in Kowaliga Bay.
Last year saw no reported accidents on Lake Martin following the fireworks show, and Brooks hopes for the same this year.
“We’ve been really lucky so far on Lake Martin,” Brooks said.
The lake had its first two reported accidents of the boating season Sunday afternoon.
“While the accidents have been down on the lake, we’ve seen an increase in alcohol use on the lake this time of year,” Brooks said.
The first reported accident on Lake Martin occurred around 1 p.m. regarding a boat fire near Real Island Marina. No one was injured.
The second involved a tubing accident near Real Island about 4 p.m. The rider of the tube complained of back pain and was transported to a Montgomery hospital for observation.