Monthly Lanier water level chart: September, 2008
Despite a very active hurricane season, the Atlanta area didn’t see much after Fay left town. However, the temperatures this September were far lower than last year, resulting in a loss of only about 1-1/2 feet, vs the three foot drop we saw in 2007. The chart clearly shows how much Fay helped, though it certainly would look better if we had seen rain from another hurricane.
We continue to set calendar-day records for the lake level (”the lowest it’s ever been on October 1″, etc), but we’re still a few feet away from the all time low. As of today, the lake is at 1054.07 ft, with the all-time low being 1050.81, set on December 23 last year.
Last October saw a drop of about 3-1/4 feet. I don’t imagine we’ll get that kind of loss this month, but it’s almost certainly going to drop. How far do you think it will get this month?
Tags: chart, lake lanier, level
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October 2nd, 2008 at 5:46 am
How far do you think it will get this month?
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What difference does it make? Shouldn’t we be happy that the reservoir continued to provide a source of drinking water during an “exceptional” drought? And it did this despite the incompetence of the Corps of Engineers.
The dire “predictions” of intellectual geniuses such as “rkoultre”, “Carol”, “Southside Steve” and “prootwaddle” have failed to materialize.
Nothing to see here, move along.
BGAWK!
October 4th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
I don’t know what dire predictions this people made, but we certainly were in bad shape last year, and from what I gather, regardless of a drought, Metro Atlanta has and continues to bring in more people than our current water infrastructure can easily and affordably handle. Is Lake Lanier NOT at a level so low that it’s damaging property values, recreation opportunities and revenues, etc.?
Is it possible that the warnings of the aforementioned folks (and others), spurred the considerable conservation that helped us make it through this drought without having to truck in water (as was suggested last year) or pay for water like we’re paying for gasoline?
I don’t know that these people need to be insulted.
Nothing to see here? You don’t believe we needed any restrictions or conservation?
October 5th, 2008 at 1:13 am
I don’t remember making any predictions at all, CL. Panic is silly when there isn’t a bad situation to worry about, and I’d rather leave predictions to others who care a lot more (and are willing to spend the time).
October 5th, 2008 at 11:25 am
In my view, property values on and around Lake Lanier have suffered
irrapairable damage for years to come. This drought was so deep and long, people know about it everywhere. Even when the Lake gets back to normal ?, If I was thinking about buying property or a business on that lake, I would be too worried it would happen again in the near future. I would choose a less risky location.
October 6th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
It’s true that there are many legitimate long-term impacts from the drought, but those weren’t the reason for the exposure.
People know about the drought because of the predicted impact of an empty Lake Lanier, and Atlanta’s proximity was the main reason for the attention, or that’s my bet.
October 6th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Speaking as someone outside Atlanta, the only reason I know about Lanier is that last year it made a big splash (pun intended) in our papers. I never hear about Atlanta’s drought or Lake Lanier on any local or even national news channels anymore.
I suspect that the land develuation will persist as long as the lake is low, but that if the lake refilled, in about a year folks would forget about the drought.
October 6th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I know one or two BIG fishing tournaments scheduled for Lanier were cancelled last year, due to the low level of the lake, costing the area millions in lost revenue. Coke also invested in a big ice/snow show at Stone Mountain last year, and that had to be cancelled. Car washes suffered, as did water parks. Landscapers and nurseries suffered. Homeowners’ lawns and other greenery suffered.
“What difference does it make?”
A bunch I would daresay.
October 6th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
R. Kolter….I may just be more atuned to it (Lake Lanier water Levels) because I am in the Marine Industry. In this business, it is still a topic that is written about and spoken about frequently. This drought will be remembered for awhile I suspect. The Marine business has enough long term obstacles without adding low water levels into the mix.
October 7th, 2008 at 6:54 am
Drivin’ & Whinin’ typed:
Coke also invested in a big ice/snow show at Stone Mountain last year, and that had to be cancelled. Car washes suffered, as did water parks. Landscapers and nurseries suffered. Homeowners’ lawns and other greenery suffered.
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but hey, as long as Americans can finance those new automobiles all is well!
get ready for change, people.
BGAWK!
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LITTLE WILL BE APPEARING THIS WEEK:
WAL MART CANDLER ROAD 1PM MONDAY
LOWES BUFORD HIGHWAY 9AM TUESDAY
THE GOVERNORS MANSION W/ SONNY PURDUE ON GOOD DAY ATLANTA WEDNESDAY 7:30AM SEGMENT
PUBLIX ANSLEY MILL 9AM THURSDAY
COPIES OF HIS NEW BOOK “TALES OF THE WATER SHORTAGE” WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
October 7th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Its pouring in Nashville right now and headed your way. Good luck!
October 7th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Why does the moderator encourage a troll who insults visitors and contributes nothing by posting CL’s childish crap? Even the attempts at humor aren’t particularly clever or . . . um . . . funny.
Can anyone recommend or point me to any other sites about the SE or GA drought(s)?
Thanks.
October 8th, 2008 at 6:00 am
Suffering Lawns?
Is that your new band?
BGAWK
(and come one, the misspelling of “Purdue” was hilarious!)
October 8th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Does it rain alot down there in the winter? I lived there years ago and i recall it being very dry during winters. Im suprised there isnt as much concern. Your big lake is lower than ever for october. What’s worse is that there have been engeneering changes and it still keeps going down.Atlanta is the defination of sprawl. I wish no harm on anyone but atlanta is reaping from what it sowed. The area whored itself so much in the name of business and cheap suburban sprawls and know has systemic problems. I imagine crime will explode also as the economy tanks.
October 8th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Atlanta is not the reason for the low water levels. Talk to the folks downstream who literally use 10 times the water than Atlanta uses from Lanier.
October 8th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Water Bored - I’m not in the marine industry; you could be right, your industry would care a lot more. But you prove my point - the only reason you hear about it, is that this is your industry. The public forgets things, quickly, when they go back to the status quo. A lot of this blog has been dedicated to talking about how plans get funded during droughts, then defunded after the drought, so no effort gets made long term.
People just don’t have the time or inclination to remember issues that are not on the front burner for them. Unless they’re interested for some particular reason.
October 8th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
CASEY AT THE PLATE!
swing and a miss
BGAWK
October 8th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
What a lonely person.