A couple of months ago, there was a lot of interesting discussion and pictures regarding the water levels on Lake Lanier in Georgia. Lately, the topic seems to have dried up (pun intended). How is the water level on Lake Lainer these days? Has there been any significant improvement in lake levels since this was last discussed? Thanks.
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They are probably back to business as usual.
There won't be any law suits, complaints or any further action until next draught. I take that back, I think the area developers are hosting the local politicians at a Water Park for some pork bellies.
There won't be any law suits, complaints or any further action until next draught. I take that back, I think the area developers are hosting the local politicians at a Water Park for some pork bellies.
Lanier is still very Low
http://water.sam.usace.army.mil/lanfc.htm Looks to be about 16' below average and in action zone 4 which is the lowest level. Maybe the rains will help. Alabama seems to be wetter than last year. I was surprised at the water levels in the Warrior river. I was taking my grandson there to kayak. The water was too high for his safety and we had to cancel the kayaking. More significantly it was falling and had recently been several feet higher. Of course that section of river rises and falls rapidly as there are no dams upstram.
http://water.sam.usace.army.mil/lanfc.htm Looks to be about 16' below average and in action zone 4 which is the lowest level. Maybe the rains will help. Alabama seems to be wetter than last year. I was surprised at the water levels in the Warrior river. I was taking my grandson there to kayak. The water was too high for his safety and we had to cancel the kayaking. More significantly it was falling and had recently been several feet higher. Of course that section of river rises and falls rapidly as there are no dams upstram.
going up...but slowly
We have been getting good rain in 2008 (so far). At the low point Lake Lanier was down to about 1,049 feet (above sea level) or 22 feet below full pool of 1,071. After today's rain it should be right at 1,056 (meaning its still down 14 feet!!!). What I don't understand is why other local lakes (like Lake Allatoona)that was down as much as Lake Lanier is now back to within 3 feet of full pool. It dosen't add up. The corp. of engineers must still be releasing a lot of water, but it seems to have lost attnetion in the media.
We have been getting good rain in 2008 (so far). At the low point Lake Lanier was down to about 1,049 feet (above sea level) or 22 feet below full pool of 1,071. After today's rain it should be right at 1,056 (meaning its still down 14 feet!!!). What I don't understand is why other local lakes (like Lake Allatoona)that was down as much as Lake Lanier is now back to within 3 feet of full pool. It dosen't add up. The corp. of engineers must still be releasing a lot of water, but it seems to have lost attnetion in the media.
Difference between Allatoona and Lanier
Stephen, the difference between these two lakes is the size of the drainage basin compared to the size of the lake. Lanier is a relatively large lake with a relatively small drainage basin, so the same amount of rain falling on the smaller area results in a smaller impact on Lanier. This from a Corps of Engineers map of the drainage basin: "Water flows into Lake Lanier from numerous creeks, streams and rivers forming the drainage basin for the lake. The drainage area is approximately 1,040 square miles. Although this sounds like a large area, it is relatively small for a lake the size of Lanier which has 73 square miles of surface water at normal pool, a 14:1 ratio. Comparatively, Allatoona Lake has 1,110 square miles in their drainage basin and only 19 square miles of surface water at normal pool, a 58:1 ratio. West Point Lake, in southwest Georgia, has 3,400 square mile in their drainage basin for 40 square miles of surface water, a 85:1 ratio." See the link below if you want more information.
Stephen, the difference between these two lakes is the size of the drainage basin compared to the size of the lake. Lanier is a relatively large lake with a relatively small drainage basin, so the same amount of rain falling on the smaller area results in a smaller impact on Lanier. This from a Corps of Engineers map of the drainage basin: "Water flows into Lake Lanier from numerous creeks, streams and rivers forming the drainage basin for the lake. The drainage area is approximately 1,040 square miles. Although this sounds like a large area, it is relatively small for a lake the size of Lanier which has 73 square miles of surface water at normal pool, a 14:1 ratio. Comparatively, Allatoona Lake has 1,110 square miles in their drainage basin and only 19 square miles of surface water at normal pool, a 58:1 ratio. West Point Lake, in southwest Georgia, has 3,400 square mile in their drainage basin for 40 square miles of surface water, a 85:1 ratio." See the link below if you want more information.
My favorite subject!!
I was the one here ranting and raving about the demise of Lake Lanier, home of the worlds largest freshwater marina (Aqualand), world's largest inland floating marina (Holiday) and known as the most "popular lake" in these United States. Go figure!! The Corps has yielded somewhat to external pressure and has reduced the discharges; however, much of this is attributable to heavy rains and reservoir replenishment south of Atlanta. In other words, the mussels in Appalachacola in Florida, the array of coal fired power plants (cooling water needs) and potable supplies for cities in Alabama, Northern Florida and Southern Georgia are presently, safe through high water storage south of Lanier. We have had some substantial rain since December, with the most appreciable amount thus far in March. The drought pattern here is somewhat breaking, and climatologists see a wetter pattern for north Georgia, but a worsening pattern for south and southeast Georgia. Either way, Lanier feeds greater Atlanta and will always be discharged. If the rains let up into the summer evaporation alone can eat up the small gains in water level. We poor souls at Lake Lanier (12,000 boats, I believe) are still waiting for that biblical, "40 days and 40 nights rain" event to ensure a quality boating season and the end to this madness!! Fingers still get pointed to the Gov's office and EPD for lack of planning with a known small watershed/drainage area (Chestatee and Chattahochee Rivers)that just ain't gonna do it anymore! I have to ponder if indeed the future does look bright for a full pool lake and the wisdom in keeping a vessel in Lanier. Dock fees are less on the coast and the marina's here can do so much for us. My marina waived any increase in dockage fees this year! Really, now!? So, I am heading out of my dock for the first time in a long time this weekend, steaming south, watching my depth sounder and seeing if this five more feet of water adds anymore to the sailing area. So far, the rain gods have been kind and the great Army Corp. settled down, but tomorrow is another day, isn't it? Bob Catalina 30 Lake Lanier
I was the one here ranting and raving about the demise of Lake Lanier, home of the worlds largest freshwater marina (Aqualand), world's largest inland floating marina (Holiday) and known as the most "popular lake" in these United States. Go figure!! The Corps has yielded somewhat to external pressure and has reduced the discharges; however, much of this is attributable to heavy rains and reservoir replenishment south of Atlanta. In other words, the mussels in Appalachacola in Florida, the array of coal fired power plants (cooling water needs) and potable supplies for cities in Alabama, Northern Florida and Southern Georgia are presently, safe through high water storage south of Lanier. We have had some substantial rain since December, with the most appreciable amount thus far in March. The drought pattern here is somewhat breaking, and climatologists see a wetter pattern for north Georgia, but a worsening pattern for south and southeast Georgia. Either way, Lanier feeds greater Atlanta and will always be discharged. If the rains let up into the summer evaporation alone can eat up the small gains in water level. We poor souls at Lake Lanier (12,000 boats, I believe) are still waiting for that biblical, "40 days and 40 nights rain" event to ensure a quality boating season and the end to this madness!! Fingers still get pointed to the Gov's office and EPD for lack of planning with a known small watershed/drainage area (Chestatee and Chattahochee Rivers)that just ain't gonna do it anymore! I have to ponder if indeed the future does look bright for a full pool lake and the wisdom in keeping a vessel in Lanier. Dock fees are less on the coast and the marina's here can do so much for us. My marina waived any increase in dockage fees this year! Really, now!? So, I am heading out of my dock for the first time in a long time this weekend, steaming south, watching my depth sounder and seeing if this five more feet of water adds anymore to the sailing area. So far, the rain gods have been kind and the great Army Corp. settled down, but tomorrow is another day, isn't it? Bob Catalina 30 Lake Lanier
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