GAINESVILLE - The moratorium on new dock permits on Lake Lanier has been extended indefinitely because of the drought and because the level of the lake has now slipped below 1063.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced a moratorium on new boat dock permits last April, in order to process pending applications assess the number compared to those allowed under the 2004 Shoreline Management Plan.
The moratorium was extended through October when shoreline management park rangers were temporarily reassigned to public safety duties following ten fatalities on the lake.
The water level at Lake Lanier continues to decline as record high temperatures and drought conditions persist throughout the southeast. Monday morning the lake level was at 1062.29. The recent rain may bring temporary relief to the soaring temperatures; however, the Corps says it will have little impact on the lake levels as the sun parched land absorbs much of the rain before it makes it to the lake.
The Corps normally enters a moratorium on issuing new permits when water levels drop below 1063.
"If the drought continues the moratorium, which began in April, will continue until the lake level rises above 1064," said Chief Ranger Chris Lovelady. "Low water level moratoriums have been implemented several times in the past under similar drought and low lake level conditions. All individual and community dock permit applications that were in review before the moratorium will continue to be processed. We regret any inconvenience this may cause, but it is important to be able to properly address requests with adequate water to make informed decisions."
Wednesday
June 4th, 2025
1:42PM
