Do we have links on the web site for current lake levels and what they mean at various launches? I looked in "Wiki", 'Weather" and "Places to Windsurf" and didn't see any. Ok, I went ahead an goggled "allatoona lake level" and it's currently 843.40 (full pool is 840). I just can't remember if that means I'll be sailing over the parking lot at Galts Ferry.
http://allatoona.uslakes.info/level.asp
http://lanier.uslakes.info/Level.asp
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Bill Herderich
Here are two photos Gene just sent me.
Alan
Lanier: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ga/nwis/uv/?site_no=02334400&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060,00062
The ones you posted are actually pretty good, too.
Edit: Good suggestion. Updated wiki page https://windsportatlanta.com/wiki/Lake_Lanier#Lake_Levels
Typically lake levels aren't that urgent but with the lake up or down feet in a few days at it has recently...
Also this. http://water.sam.usace.army.mil/
Bill Herderich
These were originally my go-to links but weren't very helpful over year end as they weren't being updated as the lake was rising. All of these are much more relevant (and why I know them) when you have a dock. Typically, not so much for day to day windsurfing. But the lake rising 5 feet in a week isn't typical.
Looks like the lakes have finally stopped rising. Little or no rain forecast for several days. Be interesting to see how quickly the can drop it. But they have a long way to go.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
I think rain is forecast for Thursday. They were doing about 4-5 inches a day a few weeks ago. The river downstream of the dam is swollen which limits things.
Plus there is still probably above average inflow. They can drop Galts a lot quicker - and they may have too - Galts is already quite high. There have been a number of times when the beach lot (normally scheduled to reopen March 1) was covered with water. Wonder if they will open it this week or not?
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
https://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/lake-lanier-floods-lckc-boathouse-after-near-record-high-water-level/
Oops. Maybe worth another trip down south
Did anyone hear a loud noise near Buford?
--- The Arrogant Jerk: Crabby and irritable since 1998.
Relax. Looks like someone just dropped the depth gauge in the lake. It's heading to the bottom.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Toona is really the more interesting of the two lakes. On Feb. 16 it was 827.5. The latest reading was almost 848 - a rise of over 20 feet in 11 days with more rain on the way. I suspect that the 827 was roughly where they wanted it (they had dropped it from a few days before to get there). So basically Toona now has 20 feet of extra water. Considering how quick the level can rise (I've seen times when the parking lot was closed in the spring at Galts because it was under water) this could be a pretty big problem if they don't get it back in shape soon.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
More coming
Oy that's a lot of rain.
Funny thing is that they reopened the spigot early this morning and it appears to still be on. I guess since the rain is above the watershed, they can let out water without worrying about overloading the river below the dam.
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ga/nwis/uv/?site_no=02334430&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060,00062,00010
That cluster also appeared to dissipate somewhat this morning - yeah, that yellow was worrisome. Hope we can get some dry days next week after weekend rains.
Sunrise Cove Customers,
We would like to give you a brief update as to what we know about the lake levels and the state of Sunrise Cove as a whole. The latest 5 week forecast from the Army Corps of Engineers has the lake getting back up to 1076.00 or higher after the rain on Sunday 3/3/19. The forecast only has the lake getting down to 1073.00 at the end of March. Please remember that the forecast will be dependent on the weather and could change.
We would also like to warn anyone who takes their boats out to watch for debris. Large trees have been seen floating on the lake along with other objects that could potential cause substantial damage to your boat or cause injury to yourself. Please contact the office with any question you may have.
Alan
They came within an inch or two of the high of the other week and opened the spigot yesterday. They also had it open later than usual before Sunday's rain. I think this is the worst of it but we all thought that back in January, too.
Driving down Atlanta Hwy just south of Flowery Branch, you can see the lake approaching the road and busiinesses. If the lake went up another 2-3 feet, things would get positively "interesting". I imagine the Army is fielding a lot of phone calls right now.
All but my dock ramp is under water in my cove.
PeelSkid
It's official: Wettest Winter in U.S. History