The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at West Point Lake will close several of its areas to public access Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, to host Soldiers from U.S. Army’s 3rd Battalion at Fort Benning, Georgia to conduct an Army training exercise.

“We are always happy to support our men and women in uniform and welcome them to West Point Lake,” said David Barr, supervisory park ranger at West Point Project in a press release from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

According to the release, to ensure safety and security for Soldiers engaged in the training exercise, the following locations will be closed to the public Aug. 29, 2019, the roadway crossing the West Point Dam, Anderson Park, Powerhouse Road, the lower portion of West Point Lake from the dam, north, to river channel buoys nine and 10.

Additionally, the boat ramp area of Anderson Park will be closed Wednesday, Aug. 28 in preparation for the exercise. Access to the lower portion of West Point Lake will be restricted during training exercises. Signs and cones will be placed to assist in directing visitors around the project. All areas are scheduled to reopen after 5 p.m. on Aug. 29.

Soldiers will be stationed at the entrance to closed locations, while law enforcement agencies will provide security at the water-landing zone via patrol boats. Commuters who drive across the West Point Dam roadway — between Georgia and Alabama — should plan ahead to use alternate routes.

“West Point Lake was chosen as a training site for this one-day exercise as it provides a large area for safe landing in the water and adequate land-based areas for staging purposes,” said Barr in the press release.