Tropical Storm Ida Halts Lake Lanier Water Releases

With Tropical Storm Ida entering North Georgia this week, the Corps of Engineers is preparing for heavy rain. They plan to release almost no water from Lake Lanier this week.

Lake Lanier is already above full pool so the lake is likely to rise further. The situation is exacerbated because the earth around the lake has already been soaked by recent downpours. That means that extra rain is more likely to enter the lake.

The Corps' decision may reflect a tough learning experience during the heavy floods of September this year. The Corps was heavily criticised earlier for releasing water from Lake Lanier and possibly adding to the waters that troubled downstream communities.