Lake Lanier nearly reaches highest level since 1964

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Channel 2 Action News has learned that levels at Lake Lanier are near an all-time high.

This is important to know, because many people live on the lake and it is the source of drinking water for millions of people across metro Atlanta.

“This week we hit 1,076 feet, which is the second highest the lake has been since 1964, the second highest it’s been since the Buford dam was constructed in the 1950s,” said Dale Caldwell, headwaters director of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper.

Bill Morrison lives along Lake Lanier and cannot believe the sight.

“It’s scary. It’s taken over everything,” Morrison said. “It’s causing erosion everywhere and you can’t use the park at all.”

Caldwell said the constant rain has a down side.

“It does affect water quality. As you can see, the lake has a brown tint to it right now, and that’s from storm water runoff,” Caldwell said.

“I wish the (Army) Corps of Engineers could regulate this better,” Morrison said.

Channel 2 Action News has learned that the Corps of Engineers is trying to get the situation under control.

Officials also said the lake level could very well hit the record this week, because more rain is in the forecast.

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