Lake level on the rise

GAINESVILLE - Not surprisingly, the level of Lake Lanier, reaping the benefits of heavy rains across its basin this week, is on the rise.

Lanier was up another half-a-foot Friday morning from Thursday's level. That means that following this week's rains, the lake has gained more than three-quarters of a foot since Monday. The level early Friday was 1051.79. Monday, it was 1051.01.

More rain fell this week in northeast Georgia than in each of the previous three months. Rainfall totals across the region include 4.02 inches in Gainesville, 3.47 inches in Buford and 3.30 inches in Cornelia.

The last time the area received similar totals in such a short period of time was in August, when the remnants of Tropical Storm Faye moved through. For instance, between Aug. 22-27, the Gainesville airport recorded 7.06 inches. The total for the month of August was 9.64 inches.

That sent the level of Lanier up 2.24 feet between Aug. 22 and Sept. 1.