Next time you wonder why you should financially support the LLA, read the Florida Water Control Manual Update comments letter and realize that they are urging the Corps to bring Lanier down to 1035′ during times of drought. You thought 1050′ was difficult, image 1035′! A significant part of our advocacy role is monitoring what other stakeholder groups are advocating for, determining what sort of impact that would have on Lanier, and then affecting change where we can. We are actively working on three different areas that impact lake levels:  more water, less consumption, better operating rules. It takes time, effort, and money to do that. If you are already a member, thank you for supporting our mission. If you are not currently a member, please consider joining. Please share this information with your friends and neighbors so that they too can support advocating for Lanier and we can increase our membership size, voice, and influence.

In case you would like to read some of the Water Control Manual Update comments, they are posted on our website in the Library section.

Lake levels are rising rapidly today due to recent rains.  The lake has already risen almost eleven (11) inches in the last week and is at 1057.24 as this is being written.  Inflows are running at more than 500% of the average for this day (~4450 cfs in the Chattahoochee and ~1900 cfs in the Chestatee).  Rising lake levels can cause problems for dock owners in several ways.  First, ramps can end up in the water, making it difficult to move docks back toward their full pool positions.  More seriously, anchor poles can either be lifted off the bottom if there’s not enough slack in the lifting cables or they can slide out of the bottoms of their collars if the dock rises beyond the poles’ reach.  Combined with the high winds we are experiencing today (over 20 mph), anchor pole problems can result in docks being dislodged and blown away from their normal mooring sites, causing damage to themselves, adjacent docks, or nearby boats.  It’s also a good idea in the event of heavy winds to make sure your shore cables are sound and secure.

 Please be sure to check your dock and make adjustments as necessary.

Forsyth County has joined others in a push for a higher Lake Lanier. Commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday in support of raising the lake’s elevation by 2 feet, to 1,073 feet above sea level. The county followed a push by the Lake Lanier Association advocacy group and Gwinnett County commissioners, who approved a similar resolution last week.

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners approved two resolutions today urging the U.S. Congress to clarify the use of Lake Lanier for public water supply and recreational purposes and to raise the lake’s full pool elevation.

Raising maximum level 2 feet would add 26 billion gallons of water, advocates say. A Gainesville-based advocacy group isn’t backing off its push for a fuller Lake Lanier, an issue it first raised in 2007.