Lake Lanier drought pictures

I would be shocked if Lanier Harbour moves foward in any shape or form with their plans right now due to the economy and the lake, but predominately the economy and real estate market. I don't think you could find a bank in the state of GA that would lend you money to build a condo building without significant presales. It's a shame though- would/will be a cool project. I personally think we are going to see it go as low as this past winter or a foot or two lower. Consider that as of October 1, 2007 we were still at 1058.73 and we are only at 1054.52 right now and on this date last year we were at 1059.47. Current water levels now are basically exactly where we were last fall on November 7th. Since we seem to be averaging loosing a foot a month, my guess is that we'll be around 1050 or 1049 at the low point this winter and we'll see some rebound in the spring. Of course, as always, this is an instance where i really hope I am very, very wrong!! :) Unfortunately I think we are still going to see levels go to at or below historic lows again this winter. The good news is that even with these low levels, except for hopefully just the months in the dead of winter, we'll still be able to get out and completely enjoy the lake! We are still going out and still having fun and the water levels really haven't impacted our boating activity whatsoever this year at all, except for a few less trips in the middle of winter but no biggie- we found other things to do at that time. One thing too though- I think the tollerance for low water levels on the lake has been getting better this year in that boaters still go out. We are a little lower right now than the point at which last year I said I would stop going out and it's really not a problem. When it gets down to 1052 or so I think I'll go back to not venturing out but really- still plenty of deep water out there as long as you can get a clear path to the main channels. The good news is that everything came back up enough for everyone to really enjoy a very good sping/summer/fall season on the lake this year!!
 
Wood, I understand people who keep boats at marinas are somewhat ok, at least when the levels are not at their lowest. What about property owners, the guy who has (had) 6-7' under his dock, I know most of the docks on Lanier float, but you can only push them out so far, aren't they pitching a fit. I'm sure on Lanier, like most lakes, even though you own the property, you still pay an annual access lease. I can't imagine they would be too happy that they can't use their docks for two years now. All the NC lakes are pretty much at full pond now.
 
Bill, I assume some lakes here in GA probably have access fees; however, I've never heard of one that does. Lanier doesn't. Either way, dock owners definitely are pitching fits. Lanier really went down fast last fall. This year more owners seem to have pushed their dock out far enough to be OK. Funny enough, I didn't move my dock at all this year even though the lake came up around 8 feet. The bank in my cove is much steeper in the areas where the lake is 10-20 feet below full.

Wood, we'll see on the levels. Before our little jump up I was sure we were going lower this winter, now I don't think we will. Levels were falling much faster last year. Even off your figures, a foot per month drop until around Christmas will be 1051 or so.

On Lanier Harbor, I've heard the owner already has the money and everything else ready to go, he is just delaying. He did completely get out of the dry dock business which must have been a substantial income generator and doesn't seem to be rushing to get into the wet dock business so in that way he sure doesn't seem too worried about finances. At least it's quieter at my condo without all those dry dockers around.
 
Welp. Just caught the tail end of the weather on channel 2 news tonight. I missed the first half of the discussion about lake levels!! They did say though that Clark Hill Lake is less than 3' away from being at usuable pool level. Hartwell feeds that lake and is already basically as bad off as Lanier rb2rb2@gr5tgr5t 16' below summer pool. Channel 2 says they are going to have to "significantly" draw down Hartwell and it will be a "dramatic" decrease in water level! I hate it for our Hartwell boaters!

Did anyone catch the first part and know what they said about Allatoona and Lanier? I am guessing it's not good news but thankfully both lakes are in a different watershed than Hartwell but they have upgraded the drought again due to virtually no rain this past month.

Iman, I sure hope you are right about lake levels!!!

If Les ever opened up the southern inland waters/Lake Lanier/whatever it should be called forum we could discuss all this there but until/if then you all around the USA will have to read all about our drought here in ATC! :)
 
Wood ... from what I heard last night I gather that dry ... dry ... dry is the name of the game !!
 
Thanks Greg- I check that chart regularly but I didn't know if things had changed like they suddenly have for the water plan on Hartwell. It sounds like they are about to get hammered.
 
I had big plans Sunday to center my runabout on the trailer (it was slightly off from my last retrieval). If I got ambitious I was even going to change out the trailer lights. As a precaution I went to the ramp first prior to hooking up and low and behold the old Federal boat ramp was also closed.

According to below chart we only have 3 public workable ramps left. I know one private ramp open (Holiday Marina)which is not listed here.

In my world the lake is lower this year than it was last year. In my slip for my cruiser I had 14 feet of water on 10/14/2007. Yesterday 10/13/2008 I had 11 feet. That is still plenty of water but I will soon not be able to get out to the main lake channel due to a bar that blocks the fairway. The Marina will also move the walkway attached to my dock which will make it only accessible by Dingies. That also means the fresh water hookup and electricity will be shut off too. This becomes a PITA to keep the batteries charged up with no electricity.

Launch Site Elevation Ramps Open or Closed?
Charleston Park 1048.8 Open
Tidwell Park 1051.2 Open
Shoal Creek Park 1053.1 Open
Big Creek Park 1053.7 Closed
Little Hall Park 1054 Closed
East Bank Park 1054 Closed
Van Pugh Park North 1054.4 Closed
Old Federal Park 1054.5 Closed
Little River Park 1055.7 Closed
Vanns Tavern Park 1056.1 Closed
Clarks Bridge Park 1056.2 Closed
War Hill Park 1056.2 Closed
Sardis Creek Park 1057.7 Closed
Holly Park 1058 Closed
Chestnut Ridge Park 1058 Closed
Keiths Bridge Park 1058 Closed
Laurel Park 1058 Closed
Mary Alice Park 1058 Closed
Starboard Cove Marina 1058 Closed
Sunrise Marina 1058 Closed
Thompson Bridge Park 1058 Closed
Young Deer Park 1058 Closed
Little Ridge Park 1058.3 Closed
Bolding Mill Park 1058.9 Closed
Thompson Creek Park 1059.5 Closed
Six Mile Creek Park 1060 Closed
Balus Creek Park 1060.3 Closed
Toto Creek Park 1061 Closed
Wahoo Creek Park 1061.2 Closed
Aqualand Marina 1061.4 Closed
Burton Mill Park 1061.5 Closed
Sawnee Campground 1061.5 Closed
Bald Ridge Creek Park 1061.6 Closed
Mountain View 1061.6 Closed
Two Mile Creek Park 1061.6 Closed
Lanier Park 1061.7 Closed
Shady Grove 1062.8 Closed
Long Hollow Park 1063 Closed
Duckett Mill Park 1063.1 Closed
Lumpkin County Park 1063.3 Closed
Bethel Park 1063.4 Closed
Robinson Park 1063.7 Closed
Van Pugh Park South 1063.7 Closed
Nix Bridge Park 1064 Closed
Simpson Park 1064 Closed
Lula Park 1064.2 Closed
Shoal Creek Park 1064.4 Closed
Lanier Point Park 1065.2 Closed
River Forks Park 1065.3 Closed
Belton Bridge Park 1067.1 Closed
Bald Ridge Marina 1074.6 Closed
 
Note the travel lift well here as Psalzer's Frequent Flyer is hauled out at Bald Ridge.

boatlift2.jpg
 
There is almost as much water under my boat now as there was in the lift bay!!! And the boat is now in my driveway!!!
 
How deep was the water in the bay? I know that it's still open which is great but haven't called to see how deep it is to see how long it will in fact remain operational? Other issue is getting to it around M and N dock!
 
Not too bad to get to it ... the slings were on the bottom when I pulled in ... and we could see them, so maybe 2 - 2 1/2 ft at most ... there is a large rock on one side of the entrance whicn they hope to move today ... they said maybe another week or two at the most
 
Well- I learned some interesting news today, first from a little birdy I know, and then straight from them myself. the Marine Max location on Lake Allatoona is being closed next week! If Les ever created our southern lakes/rivers forum we could post it there but alas, he has not done so. :) In the interum I am making this thread said forum! :D
 
I just flew northeastbound over Lake Lanier this afternoon, and the view from 15,500 feet is remarkable. A big red-clay rim around the entire lake. Sorry I couldn't reach my camera tucked behind the rear seat- but I can sure see why Georgia boaters are unhappy! Oddly enough, just a little ways up the road, as the crow flies, the SC lakes look full.
 
Not odd at all. It is called "Corp of Engineers mismanagement".
 
You guys need a few hurricanes to fill her up.
Lake O. in Fla. is finally filled up cause of the storms down there.
Just have to put up with all the damage causing weather also.
 
Well, they are starting the yearly Winter emptying of Lake Allatoona now. Only about 3 feet before I can't launch my boat anymore. I'm going to be out of the country for the next two weeks so I had to go ahead and have it laid up for the Winter.
 
Lake Lanier was down 17.8 ft last night .... West Point Lake (which is DOWMSTREAM!) is .2 ft ABOVE full pool, and we are still letting water OUT of Lanier. Thanks Corps of Engineers, your'e doing a great job!!!
 
Well well well. Spent the weekend again on the lake! We're down to 1052.37 right now for water level. Low last winter was 1050.79 on 12/26/07.

On this date, Nov. 3, 2007 (a year ago today) we were at 1055.28 so we are basically 3' lower today than we were a year ago and only 1.58' above our lowest point last winter.

I'm guessing we will bottom out around 1048 this winter.

Someone asked earlier for some pictures similar to the ones on the first page of this thread. I took these this weekend. This is the same first slip on our dock in the first page that has no water. Right now it has half water:
DSCF5643.jpg


One of the docks in our marina, again also pictured in the first page of this post:
DSCF5644.jpg


The good news is we are still going out on the water! Spent the weekend anchored out on a moonless night with stars everywhere, not a breeze to be found, water still as glass, and nightime temps a nice and cool low to mid 40's and sunny and low 70's during the day. PERFECT!

But- watch out where you go...danger lurks below:
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And Lanierians- check this picture out. It was taken sunday morning from my kayak in cocktail cove. Yes, those are tree trunks coming out of the water in the foreground:
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And no, it wasn't real shallow where those stumps were! Not sure how deep it was there but I'd guess 20' or so- could not see the bottom at all:
DSCF5491.jpg


Also, FYI, when you come into cocktail you will see in the back left of the cove, up near the golf course, a raised island that is now out of the water. Well, between it and shore, about 1/2 the distance to shore, there is another spot not marked that is only 2' deep right now. If you look at the pic of where I am anchored and see where the stumps are, that shallow spot is half way between the stumps and my boat. I am anchored there between the golf course and the new raised island that is out of the water that i mentioned above. It's just one spot though and everything else is deep so if you are not paying attention it would be very easy to run aground.

The moral of the story is don't go exploring into unknown waters and if you go out, only go out where you know the coves, etc. VERY well. We had a great weekend though!!! Too bad the lake is so low- it is SO nice to anchor out and not have another boat in sight and everything so peaceful and quiet. Friends came out to join us suday for a mid-day raft up. Great sunset saturday night though:

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Best part of the weekend though- my daughter caught not her first fish ever but the first fish she ever caught 100% on her own- a small mouth bass from the dock about 10" long. I was cleaning the boat and she was all on her own fishing in the empty slip next to our boat when she started screaming she caught something. Very exciting.

Also got to meet RO "The Great Escape II." Super nice guy- great meeting you Joey!
 
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