Enoch’s Thoughts

December 2, 2012

Lake Links

Filed under: Uncategorized — etblog @ 8:28 pm

OK, if this posting takes more than 5 minutes to read (not counting clicking the links), I’m just going to hang up my keyboard and mouse.

Calm Low Lanier

An uncharacteristically calm day, 13 feet below full pool.

You, dear reader, may have noticed that I and my IPS live on a lake, specifically Lake Sydney Lanier, just north of Atlanta. Lake Lanier is one of many lakes, rivers, and dams managed by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. Lake Lanier’s level changes rather significantly throughout the year, as much as 15-20 feet. The Corps of Engineers has to consider many factors as they decide how much water to release from Buford Dam.

Over the past few months, I have collected some links that explain more about the lake, the Corps’ management, and the state of rainfall in this part of the U.S.A. Here they are. Enjoy.

Corps of Engineers sites

  • A chart showing current, predicted, average, and historic low lake levels, and the 4 zones used by the Corps in managing the lake.
  • A page showing the series of dams collectively managed as the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) water system.
  • An explanation of the zones, including the parameters the Corps has to consider as it makes water-related decisions.

Commercial Lake Level Site

  • The current level of the lake, and its amount of change in the last 24 hours.
  • The monthly level of the lake, by day (this link shows November, 2012, but other dates can be selected.)

NOAA Drought Site

  • A map showing the current drought conditions across the U.S. There is an amazing amount of information posted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

That’s it. Your 5 minutes are now officially up.

P.S. Things I considered writing more about, but opted not to:

  • The lake is named for a poet.
  • Climate change.
  • Fishing.
  • Sculling.
  • Why hanging up my keyboard and mouse might be a misleading promise (hint: iPad!)

So there.

P.P.S. In case you don’t remember, IPS is my Infinitely Patient Spouse.

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