Meeting on Lake Laniers Future

There was an important meeting about the future of Lake Lanier in downtown Gainesville last week.

Representatives from the Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife and other involved organizations attended and provided a lot of useful information. We're grateful to Ken Sturdivant for this report. Particularly interesting details from the meeting have been highlighted.  

Chris Semerjain, Gainesville College Weather Analyst

Talked about the long range weather forecast and how Lanier is at the top of the water flow for all of Georgia. As we all know the drought is forecast to last through next year. He also stated that the governor formed a task force in 2006 to address issues with water. They saw this coming. They continue to meet and discuss plans for further actions as needed.  

Jonathan Davis, Corp of Engineers

Talked about the reasons for the continued flow, 5,000 cfs for south Georgia to keep the water levels up for the protected species and the fishing industry in the bay. He said they are “looking” at ramp repair and extending as they did in 1981. (I did see that work done in 81 and that is why we now have the few ramps still open. Hope they will listen to some of us.) My guess is that they will do nothing until the last two ramps are closed the public really complains as we tried to do last night. He showed some slides of the dam, the water inflow and out flow. Several spoke up in the audience and wanted to know why the river at Azalea Park was over the banks on recent Sunday’s. He said it was due to the “regular” flow. He was also asked about the water meter error. He said they fixed it and that only a few inches of water was lost. (He was not looking at the same lake we were, obviously. How about a 4 foot drop. We could have used that lost water now. If they had not made that error, we would not be in this crisis to start with.) Several spoke to him after the meeting on an open floor and he was again asked about ramps. There has been discussions with local businesses and fishing clubs in gathering up funding to repair and extend ramps on the lake during this drought. Davis again said they were “looking” at this issue. More later.  
 
One fact we did learn is that the corp can and does slow water flow up north at Lanier IF there is rain in South Georgia. (I did notice that the lake did not drop but 1/100 of an inch the first of this week since the rains got some south Georgia lakes up some.) Interesting how 2.5 inches of rain south allowed the corp to hold some water at Lanier. We will keep a close eye on the lake levels daily with rain forcast for this weekend.  

Jeff Fleming, US Fish and Wild Life

He protects the Sturgeon and the mussels as dictated by the Endangered Species act. They boasted that they, US fish and Wildlife, made changes in their action plans to allow for a slightly slower flow. He said that they usually take 14 months to make a decision, “government” and that they made a decision in 14 days on this current issue. Several in the audience question him about if the mussels were more important than the people. He said the mussels are an indicator of how the environment is doing. (Government answer)  He did say they (US Fish) would be meeting again and talk about the water flow south as needed. These mussels live in two feet of water. Fleming said that the mussels “could” live in 6 inches of water. But for 50 years now these mussels stay in two feet of water, thus the rate of flow is at 5,000 cfs. He added that the mussels do not know to know to move to shallow water in enough time to survive. If these mussels could live in shallower water, would this help north Georgia? Who knows?  

Tim Cash Ga EPDD

Talked about their role in protecting the environment. Not much new on this subject regarding the flow.  

Kelly Randall, Gainesville Public Utilities

He said that the poultry industry in Hall county would use 3 gallons of water per chicken but that this water was then reclaimed and returned to the lake. Gainesville and Hall county have cut water consumption by 10% over the last 2 months.  

Doug Derrer, Hall County Public Works

They are using less water all through their system by not washing county vehicles, having inmates taking 3 minutes showers, etc. Hall county plan to ask the EPD to “sell” water to other counties.