Army Corps Plans Water Releases For Lake Lanier
The Army Corps of Engineers sees Lake Lanier as more than just a major water supply for metro Atlanta. It’s also a tool for controlling floodwater.
David Goldman / Associated Press file
The recent rain in metro Atlanta has Lake Lanier above full pool, but federal officials don’t want to hold on to the extra water.
As of Wednesday morning, the lake was about 2 feet above it’s full summer pool.
The Army Corps of Engineers plans to release that extra water over the next few weeks to return the lake to normal summer levels.
That’s because the Corps sees the lake as more than just a major water supply for metro Atlanta. It’s also a tool for controlling floodwater.
In wet periods with no drought, like the region is in now, floodwater management becomes a priority for the Corps.
James Hathorn, who helps oversee Lake Lanier for the Corps, says releasing water is a slow process.
“We limit the amount we release to minimize any impact from our releases to any flood conditions,” he said.
The Corps doesn’t want any releases to cause or exacerbate flooding conditions downstream along the Chattahoochee River. But it needs to release any extra water in Lake Lanier to make room for additional floodwater.
In drought periods, the Corps takes a different tack and focuses on supplying water for metro Atlanta and other areas downstream.
“When we make a typical release in a non-flood situation, we have to consider the downstream requirements for water supply as well as water quality,” Hathorn said.
The Corps’ overall goal is to maintain a consistent water level in the reservoir. That’s higher in the summer and lower in the winter to make room for spring rains.
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