Thursday March 28th, 2024 8:24PM

Drought response designation lifted in north Georgia

Winter rainfall and a healthy lake level for Lanier have prompted state environmental officials to lift all drought response in north Georgia.
 
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division announced the lifting of level one drought status Thursday morning.
 
EPD Communications Director Kevin Chambers said officials considered a variety of factors in making the decision.
 
"...reservoir levels, streamflow, groundwater, soil moisture, those are just a few."
 
And while all of northeast Georgia is drought free, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor's Thursday map, Chambers said that's not really what EPD looks at.
 
"Our response is driven by supply, not necessarily drought condition but more by supply.  We do not have any supply issues, as you know, Lake Lanier has refilled and is in pretty good shape."
 
At 12:15 p.m. Thursday, Lanier sat at 1,070.66 feet, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
 
Headed into Spring, the only restriction on outdoor watering is the permanent one affecting landscape watering.  It's allowed only before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
 
Thursday's EPD announcement included 12 counties in the region, including Forsyth, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin and White.  The lifting of level one status means the entire state is under the standard outdoor watering schedule.
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