Lake’s elevated water level not a problem, for now

Sunday’s soaking rains helped elevate Lake Lanier to flood stage, but the excess water has not led to any major problems.

“Well, right now it’s not an issue,” said Patrick Robbins, spokesman for the Army Corps of Engineers’ Mobile District. “We will try to evacuate that water as quickly and safely as we can to get the water back to 1,070.”

For winter, the lake is officially 3 feet over full pool; summer full pool is 1,071 feet above sea level. The level was at 1,073.05 feet as of 6:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Because of the raised water levels, some park locations and boat ramps have been roped off to visitors, including a portion of West Bank Park and the ramp at Toto Creek Park.

“Basically the water’s high enough that those ramps are mostly submerged,” Lake Lanier Assistant Operations Project Manager Chris Lovelady said. “We just want people to be careful.”

To bring those waters down, water is being released downstream at Buford Dam “around the clock,” Robbins said.

“We have to monitor downstream conditions,” he added about how much water is being released. “We don’t want to flood anybody.”

via Lake’s elevated water level not a problem, for now.