Level of Lanier to get boost

ATLANTA - The federal government has agreed to hold more water in Lake Lanier this winter.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers decision Friday means the lake could get a 1-foot boost.

The government said sending less water downstream was determined not to have any "long-term significant environmental or human impacts."

The north Georgia reservoir is poised to drop to record low levels in January if the drought continues to tighten its grip. The lake is now more than 18 feet below full pool.