AP NewsBreak: Georgia fears lake levels to reach all-time lows

<p>Georgia claims the federal government is draining too much water from the major reservoirs along the Chattahoochee River to protect endangered species downstream in Florida, and if changes aren't made soon lake levels will reach all-time lows this summer, leading to water shortages and other problems, according to government documents obtained by The Associated Press.</p><p>Because of drought conditions, the U.S. Corps of Engineers has been releasing more water than normal from Lake Lanier, West Point Lake, Walter F. George Reservoir and Lake Seminole to maintain stream levels in Florida's Apalachicola River for endangered mussels and the Gulf sturgeon. Georgia's Chattahoochee River becomes the Apalachicola at the Florida border.</p><p>Gov. Sonny Perdue sent a letter to Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey on Friday, claiming that unless the Corps of Engineers scales back the releases of water, those lakes "will be drawn down to their lowest level in recorded history."</p><p>The AP obtained the letter Wednesday through a public records request.</p><p>However, Corps officials argue Georgia is using incorrect modeling to predict how low reservoirs will run. Pat Robbins, spokesman for the Corps of Engineers' Mobile District, said the agency's simulations show the reservoirs affected will not drain any lower than they did during the state's heavy drought in 2000.</p><p>A dry spring set the stage for the dispute between Georgia and the federal agency responsible for maintaining reservoir levels and water storage. A lack of rain in the region meant levels in the Apalachicola River have been about 45 percent lower than normal.</p><p>The federal Endangered Species act requires water levels in that river to be sufficient enough for the Gulf sturgeon's spawning season, which is between March and May. In addition, there must be enough water in the river to provide a proper year-round habitat for mussels.</p><p>As a result, the Corps has been following a policy established for dry weather conditions in which water collected in Georgia lakes and reservoirs that feed the Apalachicola River is passed downstream.</p><p>Also obtained was a report from Carol Couch, director of Georgia's Environmental Protection Division, that predicted all stored water in the four major reservoirs along the Chattahoochee will be drained if dry conditions persist.</p><p>"This would result in lake levels not seen since the 1950s with devastating consequences to water supply, water quality, lakeside homes and businesses," Couch said in supporting documents obtained by AP.</p><p>State officials also said low water levels in Walter F. George Reservoir, about 40 miles south of Columbus, Ga., already has disrupted the local boating and bass fishing industry.</p>

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