Drought conditions in Georgia improved over the past week with drought-free portions – including some in our area – increasing by about four percent. But the level of Lake Lanier is down some more.
The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) says all of Habersham and parts of Banks and Dawson counties are now drought-free and as are a few other north Georgia counties from Rabun to Fannin to Catoosa. Conditions in Hall County are “moderate” to “abnormally” dry.
Meanwhile, the level of Lake Lanier Thursday morning was 1062.4, a third of a foot lower than it was a week ago. Part of the reason for the declining levels is that the Corps of Engineers has begun releasing water from the lake to support downstream reservoirs between here and the Gulf.