Deadpool

From Atlanta Water Shortage Wiki

This is the term given to the water below 1035 feet AMSL in Lake Lanier.

Right now, water already comes from the “dead pool” at the bottom of the lake. It flows from the bottom, through the dam, then out into the river. As the water flows through it powers three turbines in the dam that generate electricity. The two largest turbines require significant “head pressure” to function. As the lake gets lower, the head pressure decreases. The turbines are already running at a lower rate due to the lower level of the lake. At 1035′, the head pressure will be too low for them to function. The third turbine, which is much smaller than the other two, will function down to about 1020′. Essentially nothing will change once the lake reached 1035', other than the dam losing its ability to generate power.

The dam will be able to release water freely down to 919 feet, which is the bottom of the lake.

There are a wide variety of Predictions about when the dealpool level might be reached.