Swimming at Ebenezer Park closed for summer due to drought

Swimmers looking to escape the heat won’t be able to take a dip at Ebenezer Park on Lake Wylie for the rest of the summer.

Due to ongoing drought conditions, York County announced Wednesday the county park’s swimming spot will be closed to the public for the rest of the summer.

“This was a difficult decision to make based on the popularity of our facility,” a press release announcing the closure reads, “but the drought conditions have created low lake levels.”

Ebenezer Park is the only public access point for swimmers on Lake Wylie outside of Tega Cay, which requires a parking permit.

Boaters will still be able to put in at the boat ramp, but county officials may close that to the public as well.

On Tuesday, officials recorded less than four feet of water at the end of the boat ramp. If water levels drop below three feet, Duke Power will recommend the boat ramp be closed as well.

“Ebenezer Park remains hopeful that we can continue to serve the boaters through the weekend,” the release says, “but it all depends on the evaporation rate, generated power or rainfall or lack of.”

This story was originally published July 29, 2015 at 3:14 PM with the headline "Swimming at Ebenezer Park closed for summer due to drought."