Northeast Georgia drought conditions easing, Lake Lanier still dropping

July saw plenty of rainfall across Northeast Georgia, and that has alleviated drought conditions that were widespread earlier in the summer.

At the start of July, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported that most of the region, including all of Hall, Forsyth, Habersham, Jackson, Barrow and Banks counties and most of Gwinnett County, were under moderate drought status after dry months in May and June.

The monitor's most recent update released Thursday showed that none of the region is under drought status, although some areas are still in the "abnormally dry" category.

All of Barrow, Gwinnett and Jackson counties are back to normal conditions, along with the southern halves of Hall and Banks counties. The rest of the region is considered under abnormally dry status.

Despite the improved conditions, the water level in Lake Lanier continues to decline. The level as of Thursday morning was at 1,069.93 feet, a little over a foot below full summer pool. The lake level had hit a two-year high on May 10 at 1,071.88 feet.

Lake Lanier had fallen to a more-than-five-year low in November 2023, falling to as low as 1,062.45 feet.