Atlanta Water Shortage

11Alive has a nice story today about some of the other issues facing Florida if the water continues to dwindle.  Among other things, they say:

Branch said recreational fishing businesses in his county rely on the Apalachicola River, but boats are running aground in the middle of it. He said the lower flows have affected groundwater levels to the point where area farmers are having a harder time irrigating crops.

I’m rather torn about all of this.  While human lives are obviously more important, things don’t appear to be getting critical — at least not yet.  Do we throw away jobs in Florida just in case things keep getting worse up here, or do we wait until things are in a more critical state?  What do you think?

With Lanier at its lowest level for this time of year since it was built in the 1950s, the Corps has issued a warning to anyone planning to use the lake over the holiday.  The statement from E. Patrick Robbins reads, in part:

“The shallower water conditions could expose sandbars or stumps to those swimming or boating,… Boaters should be cautions as declining levels may reduce clearance over underwater obstructions.”

The article in the AJC brought up some interesting facts:

• The lake is about 15 feet below full, something we’re all well aware of.
• Of the 39 public docks, only two are usable.
• Of the 100 lanes of public boat ramps, only 12 are usable.

Also, the article claims that the corps expect Lanier to drop another foot by July 25.  Considering we lost about 1.5 feet in the month of June, that sounds like a pretty reasonable guess.