Lake Allatoona Wants Your Christmas Trees

By Kristal Dixon

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Allatoona Lake Project Office has designated six locations to serve as drop-off locations for residents who want to recycle their Christmas trees. 

The six sites include: Victoria Day Use in Woodstock, Galt's Ferry Day Use in Acworth, Sweetwater Campground Overflow parking area in Canton; Payne Boat Ramp in Acworth; Blockhouse 1 Fishing Jetty (behind Paw Paw’s Convenience Store) in Cartersville; and Bethany Bridge Fishing Jetty parking area in Cartersville. 

All drop-off sites will be marked with flagging tape and will open on Dec. 26.

The trees will be utilized as part of the agency's Fish Habitat Improvement Program, an initiative that includes federal, state and local government agency partnering with community associations, volunteers and businesses. 

“When people give us their post-holiday Christmas trees, they [the trees] are anchored to underwater concrete structures, creating habitats for fish once the lake levels rise each spring,” Jonathan Wise, a park ranger at Allatoona Lake Project Office said.

The structures are placed in the lake bead near popular recreation areas, which provides habitat for fish to live, eat and reproduce. 

The fish attractors have been designed not only with the fish in mind, but also the angler. For exmaple, most attractors are located within easy casting distance from shore for bank fisherman and are visible on most depth finders for those who fish from a boat.

“Fishing is one of the most popular pastimes on Allatoona Lake, and the US Army Corps of Engineers is dedicated to continuing to enhance the fishing experience for both casual and serious anglers,” Wise added.

For more information, contact the Allatoona Lake Project Office at (678) 721-6700.