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Buford Dam Completed
38,500-acre Lake Lanier is created by the US Army Corps of Engineers for the purpose of flood control, power generation, and navigation. It is also used for water supply and recreation -
Southeastern Drought
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Southeastern Drought
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Southeastern Drought
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Reallocation of water
20% of the lake water is reallocated for drinking purposes following several years of drought. The plan extends through 2010. Georgia wants to build additional reservoirs to "drought-proof" North Georgia. -
WATER WAR BEGINS!!!
Alabama & Florida file lawsuits to block the propsed reallocation of water from Lake Lanier and express concern over the proposed new reservoirs. -
A Truce is Called
The 3 states involved (AL, FL, GA) agree to conduct a $20 million study to analyze water availability and usage, and to examine both economic and environmental impacts. -
ANOTHER Drought year... and new negotiations
A compact is enacted among the states (AL, FL, GA) to provide a framework for negotiations for sharing in the basins - unfortunately the compact expires without an agreement. -
A GA/Corps Agreement
Georgia and the US Army Corps of Engineers agree to give metro Atlanta 23% of Lake Lanier's water (an increase of 65%) because over 3 million people depend on it for their water supply - Alabama and Florida challenge this agreement in court. -
Yet ANOTHER Drought!
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Georgia needs MORE!
As Lake Lanier's levels plunge, GA sues the Corps of Engineers to stop releasing so much water.
-Water restrictions abound across the region (outdoor water use is banned in 61 North GA counties and Governor Perdue mandates a 10% reduction in overall water use)
-The Federal Government intervenes. AL, FL, and GA agree to a temporary reduction in the flow of the Chattahoochee River and to additional talks
-Lake Lanier reaches an all-time low, 21 ft below full pool -
GA's Water Management Plan
The GA General Assembly funds a statewide water management plan AND passes a resolution to correct a GA-TN boundary error that will give GA access to the Tennessee River (with 15 times the flow of the Chattahoochee!). -
2003 Agreement fails
The US Court of Appeals overturns the GA-Corps of Engineers' 2003 agreement to increast metro Atlanta's access to Lanier's water - such a reallocation must be authorized by Congress. -
Negotions go Nowhere!
AL, FL, and GA continue to talk, but no progress is made toward an agreement. -
Record-breaking Floods!
Lake Lanier is back to full pool. -
Lanier is not for Drinking?
A Federal District Court rules that Lake Lanier is not authorized to supply water for drinking and gives the states 3 years to come to an agreement over water sharing.
Without such an agreement, Metro Atlanta's water supply will revert back to 1970s levels, losing up to half it water supply from Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee. -
A Georgia Victory
High Court Grants Georgia Water Wars Victory The US Supreme Court grants Georgia the right to use Lake Lanier for drinking water...
BUT the war is NOT over! -
Still Battling!
Latest Phase of Water Wars... The US Congress contines to work to resolve the 3-state (now 4) conflict over water use in the Chattoochee Basin. Governors of all 3 seek to optimize their individual gains.
The struggle for limited WATER goes on!