Water Level Drops, Panic Rises In Georgia

Power Struggle Over Remaining Water From Lake Lanier As Some Residents Dig Wells

(CBS)  Across North Georgia, thousands of people are digging private wells, nervous that their regular water's about to run dry.

“The phone is just ringing off the hook,” said Bob Askew, the owner of a well-drilling company. “It’s like working at a telethon or something.”

Lake Lanier is the region's main source for drinking water. And it's being drained into crisis, CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann reports.

“And here, these are tree stumps,” said Val Perry, a resident.

Perry is furious. The lake is so low that entire islands have surfaced.

“And you can see these guys are done,” Perry said while boating on the now-shallow lake. “Ooh, see, we just hit something.”

Lake Lanier is down 10 feet just this summer. And among five million Georgians, panic is rising.

Without rain, the lake's drinkable water could hit bottom by year's end.

Many of the boats and boaters left weeks ago. The shallow water is why. At the nearly dry spot Strassmann reported from on the lake, he should have been floating in 14 feet of water.

And the level is still dropping another foot every week.

Control of Lake Lanier is now a power struggle.

Georgia's suing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the lake, and drains up to three billion gallons more every day.

Most of it flows south into Alabama and Florida, feeding people, utility plants, even two varieties of mussels protected under the Endangered Species Act.

“We are trying to balance that so that we meet the needs up and down the river,” said Col. Ben Butler of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Georgians like Val Perry accuse the Corps of mismanagement, saying it is “irresponsible, arrogant.”

Georgia Gov. Sonny Purdue agrees.

“It is nonsensical,” he said.

Georgia's suit demands the Corps stop sending so much water out-of-state.

“The public doesn’t understand that. And it gives the public little confidence in the ability of the federal government to manage our affairs,” Purdue said.

As the lake drains, the crisis deepens.

Rain's in this week's forecast. But this region really needs a downpour for days.

[tnt1954]

tuff break for oglethorpe''s colony. no news
is good news, but there is always plenty of news.
sorry, the planet is having orbital decay.
don''t panic. find the inner child within.
or the inner adult. maybe n.o.r.a.d. can
put us back on a proper course.

[tnt1954]

okay geniuses, now figure out the origin of space
itself, for ten points. the earth orbits in
an ellipse. it is not a stable place to be.
you could evacuate earth, live in space, or
just put the whole planet on its own course,
and live within it. very simple i know.
its more complicated, but just to be basic.

[sonotso]

'' ... maybe edible algae and mushroom knick knack artwork could store and possibly even lever or multiply water molecules and microbes ... maybe since we can turn acorns into atomic stars, we can turn acorns into atomic stomachs and forego all the consumption anyways ... ''

[nothappyatall]

"Rain''s in this week''s forecast. But this region really needs a downpour for days."

Wrongo chief! what the region needs is BIRTH CONTROL, do the math: less people + less raw materials = the region needs LESS to begin with.

[michellem99-2009]

Did they put a ban in place when the dry season started..I aint joking..I know every drop is needed..I have lived in droughts..Yes they did tell us what we could and not do..Yer learn right fast to conserve..a bottle of water needed to take pills every day. Yer have to change yer water habits..Yer can''t waste a drop. Yer learn to wash full loads..I have been white and colour together..It is white ubderware and do tossed in with coloured chothes as they don''t run..The well to do best not waste the water as that not fair..Yer do as the poor like it or not..I hope yer get rain ab ye need it but conserve..Please..

[grazinggoat]

Another Katerina and the problem will be gone. huh! too much? ok then, let''s pray or call the Natives to perform the rain dance. If this doesn''t work lets buy bottled water and pour it back into the river bed. Lol!

[drinuk]

It will be sorted out shortly, Albert Gore is going to climb to the top of Stone Mountain and sing Trisha Yearwood''s "Georgia Rain" Then George Strangelove Bush will Decide whether it will rain or not. Between the two of ''em everyone will have a happy tearful ending. Are''nt you just delighted we have such stalwarts looking after our country.

[slim1h2o]

Wrongo chief! what the region needs is BIRTH CONTROL, do the math: less people + less raw materials = the region needs LESS to begin with.


Posted by newster1 at 12:57 AM : Oct 23, 2007

Oh, and how would YOU know what that area needs. You some kind of expert? And remember now, experts don''t know much, they can only deal with only one field at a time. What we need is more rain!

[pollroller1]

The problem is that everyone is praying to the wrong god. You better wake up and start praying to the Monkey god if you want water. HA HA

[slim1h2o]

Posted by pollroller1 at 07:20 AM : Oct 23, 2007

And who is your monkey god,, Bushitt, the chimp in charge?

[Ed0719]

Yet our GOP controlled governments here, beholden to the almighty campaign dollars from developers, keep approving more and more 1000 unit 40+ story highrise condo towers and 1000 home subdivisions to be built. In every suburb of Atlanta there are thousands of new homes popping up with landscaped lawns being watered. I watch the highrise going up near my apartment and see them wasting tons of water during the construction. But us lowly residents have to conserve and talk of rationing for us. Conservation in Georgia is only for those who can''t afford to buy a politician.

[likeitis5050]

No reason to panic. Quality of life has been put on hold to some extent and businesses will soon be unable to stay open, but until people are actually dieing in the streets or a mass evacuation clogs all exit points...why panic...New Orleans is swimming in rain water....give it time...it will work it''s way over to Georgia. Geeeeesh. People are so touchy any more.

[likeitis5050]

Isn''t there an Indian reservation near by? Perhaps if we give back land stolen from them they will do a rain dance to help out.

[gkc99]

So now maybe all those real conservative southern white men won''''t be laughing so loud when Al Gore mentions climate change?

It''''s amusing to watch the Slime Boaters attempt to trash Al because he doesn''''t fit Georgie Porgie''''s agenda.

Well are you laughing now, crackers?

[zootallures2]

"Power Struggle Over Remaining Water From Lake Lanier As Some Residents Dig Wells"

If you see some Apache helicopters.. RUN! Those guys don''t know a bomb planter from a well digger or Geogia from Iraq.

[mitywhity]

Well are you laughing now, crackers? Posted by gkc99..................YOU!

[jon_mccain]

Across North Georgia, thousands of people are digging private wells, nervous that their regular water''s about to run dry.

Privateers have been quietly buying up water rights in the South and West over the last few years. Wait until it becomes a full blown commodity like gasoline with a speculative market etc.

[ov442]

if everyone that chews tobacco around there would just start spitting in the lake, it''ll fill back up over time... hope that helps.

[ksjeff-2009]

When the rich investors acquire the water rights, they will be able to commoditize water like they have done with energy, and the prices will skyrocket. This will all be looked upon by the Bush administration as "free market" economics, and every time you flush the toilet it will cost your family $2.50.

[l8c6]

"Almost everyone I''ve talked to said we''re going to move to Houston. What I''m hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas. (Said with concern.) Everybody is so overwhelmed by all the hospitality. And so many of the peoples in the arena here, you know, they''re underprivileged anyway, so this--this (she chuckles slightly) is working very well for them."----Barbara Bush

[erichsh]

Yo, Bush-haters, moonbats, racists, etc. You can''t have it both ways. First you (and Gore) explicitly blamed Katrina and the otherwise busy 2005 hurricane season, with its attendant flooding, on global warming. Now you''re blaming this year''s drought on global warming, and it''s all Bush''s fault. The Southeast should have had at least one or two hurricanes/tropical storms by now, and there''s been ZERO. So which side do you choose?

[bobformga]

Al Gore, George Bush, what do they have to do with a drought. Then calling us Crackers what mean hatefull
Dems out there. I think its Bill Clintons fault god is still mad about him. Grow up get a life what a bunch of losers you are. How did Geroge Bush cause this and what the hell do you think Al Gore could do about it. It''s called over building!!!! To many people from the NORTH MOVING GTO THE SOUTH to become Crackers I guess.

[l8c6]

When the rich investors acquire the water rights, they will be able to commoditize water like they have done with energy, and the prices will skyrocket. This will all be looked upon by the Bush administration as "free market" economics, and every time you flush the toilet it will cost your family $2.50.

Posted by Ksjeff

Oh yes, and people would like to dismiss you as nuts but the Bechtel corporation headquartered in San Fran has already done this in countries such as Bolivia.

People running around with their bottled water will no longer get it from the tap someday.

An oil man from Texas applied for water rights to the enormous aquifer that extends across the great plains. They are planning while idiots debate if such notions are paranoia. Privatization of america is what will be selling off america to the largest shareholders. Hostile takeovers by selective and tailored law enforcing sociopathic totalitarian rule.

[frankson2]

A REAL PRESIDENT,A REAL LEADER WOULD PICK-UP THE *** PHONE CALL WHOEVER HE HAS TO CALL AND SAY " I WANT THIS RESOLVED TODAY OR YOU''RE FIRED!" BUSH IS NOTHING BUT AN EMPTY SUIT.

[aaabee-2009]

The Corps is being sued because they regulate water flow?

NO ONE is more qualified to regulate rivers and waters than the Corps of Engineers. No one could do that thankless job better than they can. Under-staffed and bare-bones federal budget, the Corps still does its job carefully. They thoughtfully balance the welfare of a lot of things, people, wildlife, environment, wetlands, birds, fish, endangered species; every person working in the Corps knows the seriousness of their job. No one balances development with environmental protection better than the Corps. When they are allowed to. When whoever is currently in the White House doesn%u2019t chop their authority up even more.

Humans are always screaming in fear when something threatens their rights and privileges. But isn''t it humans that have the brains to see that the water levels were dropping long before now, that there was a drought long before now?

But all summer long, Atlanta lawns were watered, Atlanta cars were washed, those large mansions with their 3 bathrooms weren''t bothered with warnings. What did Atlanta do to conserve water this summer? And now they are punching hole after hole in the aquifer?

Fear runs this country these days, common sense and rational behavior is gone. We have long been warned our natural resources were running out, but instead of listening to the message, the messengers have been vilified.

Quit pointing fingers and take personal responsibility.

[jairod]

Sonny Purdue blames the ACoE for the problem, yet he had a fully staffed dept of engineers that oversee the walfare of the state and its people. Where were they two or three years ago when this problem first surfaced? Did the lake go dry in just a few months? Sonny, look to your own planning and priorities. Why weren''t the propertiy developers of Atlanta required to account for future usage knowing full well that the ACoE accounted for so much water usage, itself? Sonny, quit your whining and show us why you were elected. Take charge, man.

[bm6005]

Remember, Climate change only exists in extremists''s minds.

[aaabee-2009]

Remember, Climate change only exists in extremists''''s minds." Posted by bm6005 at 10:08 AM : Oct 23, 2007

What are your credentials, that allows you to make this statement?

What education do you have, what experience in the evironmental sciences do you have, that allows you to come to such a conclusion?

[pollroller1]

All it takes is an offering of a couple of bananas to the Monkey God and he will make it rain. I am going to offer a couple of bananas even though I don''t live in Georgia. When y''all get a rainy night in Georgia, it will be ole pollroller1 who made the offering. ha ha ha ha

[krenz4]

I am so sick of EVERYTHING that happens in this country being G bush''s fault! Weather, accidents, deaths, You people who are out there that find a way to bring him up and blame him no matter what the issue is make me sick and there is something seriously wrong with you that you are fixated in such a stupid way. I AM NOT A GEORGE BUSH supporter, but I cannot see how this, and everything else in the world is his fault! There ARE LOCAL Governments you know. You people need to get some kind of grip! Geo Bush is responsible for some things, but his is certainly not responsible for low water levels in Georgia, or shool shootings in Cleveland, or fires in California. You people need to do something besides spout off popular ANTI BUSH crazy ***!!!

[ggrape]

I heard Gov Perdue say on NPR yesterday that how can it be the Army Corps of Engineers would put endangered mussels and sturgeon ahead of the water needs of human beings. My thoughts come down to 2 things:

1)We have to balance the people''s needs with ecological concerns. Georgians won''t die from lack of water, those protected species will.
2)Even more importantly--the signs and symptoms of this water problem in Georgia didn''t happen yesterday--they''ve been around for many months if not years. Gov. Perdue ignored these signs of impending water shortages, and angry Georgians need to look no further than the governor''s mansion in order to hold people accountable. Take responsibility!

[aaabee-2009]

result of over development and poor planning and resource management!" Posted by ozilot at 11:14 AM : Oct 23, 2007

Yes, you might be right.

I believe that you are also correct about over development, but naive about planning being poor.

Developers have a plan. The courts are full of litigation by developers to ease or lift environmental restrictions on endangered wildlife habitat and the clean water act so they can develop shorelines and wetlands. The drive of developers is insistant and hard-core. They are lobbying the fat cats in WA (so easy to do), and use the legal system to bring lawsuits. They attend town meetings and use tax revenues and property taxes as bait to get counselors to change zoning laws and local environmental laws. They shield their money-making behind tales of needing affordable housing for the population but in Florida, the developments and subdivisions that are going up all around these magnificant views of diminishing conservation areas are full of homes that list in the $200,000. Not exactly low-income or affordable.

The hurricane-prone shores are full of McMansions that developers jam in, sell, and don''t look back. It is the buyers who assume all risk after that.

There is planning, but it isn''t poor. :)

[riggie3]

How many illegals are in GA using up natural resources? The ''true'' figures are between 20-35 million illegals live here - that''s a lot of water, gas, food, resources that are being used by people that shouldn''t be using them. We are all going to suffer.
I say lets go rape mexico of all their resources and services, we will fare better than to just blindly support that many people with what we have.
No other country is sooooooooo STUPID!

[nexgen99]

Does anyone want to sell their Lake Lanier water front home cheap?. After all this is what! the second time in ten years this has happened. I would be interested homes on the main body of the lake. I''ll give you .50 cents on the dollar.

[gkc99]

No, there''s no reason to worry about climate change, is there? Every time *** News mentions Al Gore, they''re all laughing and sneering. And those Georgia White men just LOVE *** News, don''t ya?

Of course it might not be climate change, it might be God punishing Georgia.

[badmofojim]

How many illegals are in GA using up natural resources? The ''''true'''' figures are between 20-35 million illegals live here - that''''s a lot of water, gas, food, resources that are being used by people that shouldn''''t be using them. We are all going to suffer.
I say lets go rape mexico of all their resources and services, we will fare better than to just blindly support that many people with what we have.
No other country is sooooooooo STUPID!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by riggie3 at 12:38 PM : Oct 23, 2007
+ report abuse


Now THAT woudld be a waste of resources. Easier just to kill off the illegals. Lake Mead in NV, is the same way, Then agian we LIVE in a desert.

So tell me why if the world is in global warming why in gods name havent we developed more Desalinzation plants? HMM??? Why didnt the almighty creator of the internet donate or even suggest that?

Lets just sit down and pray, maybe GOD would do something. Or this could be a sped up cycle of earth, wait we will call that global warming.

[gkc99]

"So tell me why if the world is in global warming why in gods name havent we developed more Desalinzation plants? HMM??? Why didnt the almighty creator of the internet donate or even suggest that? "--Posted by Badmofojim


If you''re referring to Al Gore, his opponent was appointed as President by the Supreme court, remember? Guess it would have been up to Bushit to put in those desalination plants, don''t ya think? But he was too busy paying off the neocons with his tax cuts and war. Now another billion dollars has gone missing in Iraq, how many desalination plants could that have funded.

Nope, the Georgia Repugs can just suck their dry wells.

[badmofojim]

Bah Colorado River feeds 5 States including Nevada, And we have maintained the water nicely. Mind you nevada IS a desert. Poor planning and management.
Sucks for Georgia. Now we must wait for the people who belive the world is ending to come and tell us to open our bibles up. What happens if we start to live on the moon and mars? Would god still control those PLANETS, dont think he grew tree and plants on those. But What ever, everyone is corrupted by greed, money is meaningless. needs to be like Star Trek where money no longer exists.

If you have the minds, the ideas, the physics, the designs to do something, why should it be limited by money something that is already being phased out into a digital sense.

Ramble ramble ramble.

[riggie3]

SURCHFORTRUTH:

No you idiot - the millions of illegals are using our resources in each state. If you cant figure that out, you need to continue to search for the facts. GA is only one state. The entire US is losing resources.

[riggie3]

GA better pray they don''t have fires.....

[tngreen]

This crisis is being used as an excuse to undermine the Endangered Species Act, when the fact is that most of the water being diverted for other uses is for industry, not to protect two endangered species, as is being widely reported. It''s the free-press-as-industry-lapdog syndrome all over again. Don''t believe everything you read!

[boston1954]

How many illegals are in GA using up natural resources? The ''true'' figures are between 20-35 million illegals live here -
__
The whole population of the State of Georgia is under 9 1/2 million. You surely must be refering to the entire US.

[incog-nito]

If water keeps dropping, will people there die of thirst?

[glossypan]

"(Why is there a "gh" in drou(gh)t? What kind of moron came up with that spelling?)"

George Bush?

[rushlimpdrug]

If water keeps dropping, will people there die of thirst?
Posted by incog-nito

They can ALWAYS buy bottled water. It''s clean, good, and after drinking you can easily throw the bottle away.
Best of all it never runs out since hey restock the shelves daily.

[dredre2k]

Is anyone in the federal govt or georgian gov''t making any emergency plans if the state runs out of water?
If Katrina showed this nation anything, it''s that the Federal Goverment (under the Bush Administration) CANNOT EFFECTIVELY MANAGE DISASTERS!

[jerr11]

They''ve been pretending global warming doesn''t exist.

They can pretend the drought doesn''t exist and maybe it''ll go away!

This redneck logic is hard to beat!!

LOL

[michellem99-2009]

LOOK UP 3 DAYS 3 WAYS AS YER HAVE ACCESS TO THE NET.
The nanny gov''t aint there if yer learnt any thing from katrina..

[mbievtea]

Under the present situation and the continuing draining of water by the Corps of Engineers -- who claim they are just following the law -- that is just taking it too far. I mean c''mon ... why isn''t this story getting attention?! It is something I had never imagined in my lifetime.

[twixcon]

Is this something new? Heck wells were going dry in New England back in the 70s. What has changed is that we are now a nation of ******* dependent on the government to solve our problems through wealth transfer. Hey stuff happens, it doesnt mean you should ring the cash register.