ATLANTA, May 11, 2001 — Georgia continues to experience high temperatures and low rainfall. As a result, the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is maintaining water restrictions in the Metro Atlanta area and statewide.
Rainfall that much of the state received in March and April has not continued, and streamflow levels throughout the state have begun to drop. While federally managed lakes and reservoirs have benefited from the rainfall and remain at full pool, Lakes Lanier and Hartwell, two of the state's largest lakes, remain well below their average elevations. Lake Lanier is approximately eight feet below its average level and Lake Hartwell is six feet below.
"We want to remind everyone that the drought is still here and will likely remain with us throughout the summer," says David Word, assistant director of EPD. "As we move through the pleasant spring weather, we'd like to ask folks to remember that we anticipate a long, hot summer."
Pam Knox, assistant state climatologist for Georgia, says that predictions continue to indicate the possibility of higher than normal temperatures throughout the summer months.
Officials from EPD urge anyone with questions about water restrictions to contact their water utility. Utilities may tighten watering restrictions based on available storage and demand patterns.
