Lake Sidney Lanier

Water Supply for Atlanta, GeorgiaField Photos 11/19/07 by J. Ebert

Southeast Drought

• The Southeast U.S. is in the midst of one of the worst droughts on record

• Approximately 3 million people live in Atlanta and its surrounding metropolitan

• These people will run out of water in 79 days!

Buford Dam – 192 Feet High

Buford Dam Outlet(Bedrock = Gneiss)

Lake Lanier Watershed Comprises northern portion of the Chattahoochee River Watershed

Lake Lanier has a very low ratio of watershed to surface area

Lake Lanier: A Multipurpose Lake

• Constructed by US Army Corps of Engineers

• Provides– Flood protection– Power production– Water supply– Navigation– Recreation– Fish and wildlife management

Monitoring Water Level in Lake Lanier

• 11/19/07 Lake Lanier hits record low level of 1052.64 feet (just a few hours after this photo)– lowest level since construction

• Level is about 11 ft. below average and 15 ft. below capacity

• Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution & USACE

Average and Forecast Lake Levels

Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Monitoring Water Level in Lake Lanier

• Lake Lanier now holds only 42% of its capacity

• Surface area is reduced by 22%

• This level represents a 79 day supply for the Atlanta metropolitan area

• Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution

Expanded Island in Lake Lanier

Low Water Level(Dr. Ebert’s Grandson for Scale)

Falling Water Marks & Low Lake Level

Boat Launch – Currently Useless!

High and Dry!(This Says It All)