Corps officials say rainfall has been sporadic throughout the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River system, which has led to very low inflows into the lakes and the river system.
"We expect, if there are no changes in weather patterns, to see a decline in reservoir levels at Lake Lanier, West Point Lake and Lake Walter F. George over the next five weeks, said Lisa Coghlan, Deputy Public Affairs Officer. There just isn t enough inflow into the system to maintain required downstream flow levels.
Swimming: Swim lines at the beaches are set at 1064. With little water inside the swim line, people tend to swim outside of the swim line. Swimming outside of the designated areas is discouraged and not recommended. Visitors should use extreme caution when swimming outside of designated swimming areas due to the potential for underwater hazards and deep drop offs. As always, please wear a life jacket at any time when near or in/on the water.
Boating: Permanent navigation markers are also set at 1064. As the lake drops more hazards appear closer to the surface. These hazards, when known, are marked with temporary orange buoys. Placement of these buoys has already begun. USCG Auxiliary is assisting us with this task. Boaters should not rely on all hazards being marked (we might not know of the hazard, the buoy may break off and drift away, etc...) and pay careful attention to the lake as they are underway.
Boat Ramps: Boaters are encouraged to utilize the corps' boat ramp calculator located at http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/lanier/BoatRampElevations.htm to determine what ramps are usable at any given elevation. A of mid-day Tuesday, the following ramps were not usable: Bald Ridge Marine right lane, Lanier Point, Long Hollow left lane, and River Forks.
Lake Lanier is forecast to continue dropping for the next five weeks, Coghlan said. "As the lake level drops, increased awareness and caution must be used by the public when visiting Lake Lanier for any purpose. The recreating public and boaters are urged to contact the project offices below for questions concerning water levels or to report a serious hazard.
The level of Lanier Tuesday morning was 1064.26, almost seven feet below full pool.
Lake Lanier at Holly Park as of last Wednesday.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/9/241667