As of 7 AM on Wednesday, July 15, 2015, the official Lake Lanier water level at Buford dam was 1069.02 feet above sea level.
Blustery winds and torrential rains blew across Lake Lanier last night, in addition to the “pop-up” summer showers that are common here in Georgia. Always nice to have water flowing into Georgia’s Greatest Lake.
The lake looks great. Makes it easy to forget how low Lake Lanier was a couple of years ago around this time.
We could see old roads in the lakes and the bleachers off shore at Laurel Park in North Hall County. We also had plenty of evidence from scuffed propellers and boat hulls.
Hard to believe it’s been more than a year since we’ve offered an updated story on Lake Lanier water levels.
We’re thankful to God for providing rain and for the Army Corps of Engineers for maintaining the water level in Lake Lanier.
Hopefully, the lake will be full this time next year too.
Refresher Course on Lake Lanier Water Levels
- Full “summer” pool — May through November — is 1071 feet above sea level.
- Full “winter” pool — December through April — is one foot lower: 1070 feet.
- Water Years begin in October and end the following September.
- So, October 1, 2014 is the first day of Water Year 2015.
Don’t worry, the Refresher Course is almost done but there might be a quiz.
- On December 1, 2014, the first day of 2015’s Winter Pool, Lanier’s level was 1067.33.
- On May 1st, the day 2015’s Summer Pool begins, Lanier was at 1071.5 feet.
Current Lake Lanier Water Levels
As of 7 AM on Wednesday, July 15, 2015, the official level of Lake Lanier at the Buford dam was 1069.02 feet above sea level.
That’s close enough to call two [corrected] feet below full Summer Pool. Not bad. Especially considering how low the lake has been on July 15th in the past.
July 15th Lake Lanier Water Levels in Previous Years
Full Pool for July 15 is 1071 feet above sea level. Here are previous official levels, as measured at Buford Dam at midnight:
- 2014: 1070.57
- 2013: 1072.50
- 2012: 1063.58
- 2011: 1067.11
- 2010: 1070.41
- 2009: 1065.95
- 2008: 1055.89
- 2007: 1064.80
- 2006: 1065.15
- 2005: 1072.45
- 2004: 1071.46
- 2003: 1072.07
- 2002: 1064.44
- 2001: 1062.72
- 2000: 1064.09
- 1999: 1067.38
- 1998: 1069.40
- 1997: 1070.83
- 1996: 1069.55
- 1995: 1068.84
Click Here for Lake Lanier Water Levels
You math is a little off. 1069.02 is 2 feet, not 2 inches below summer pool. Would be nice to keep the level closer to 1071 this time of year. We have had plenty of rain the past month.
Hi.
Thanks. You are correct, of course.
I corrected the story.
Thanks again,
RJS
Robert… really? “As far as I can tell, Lanier’s lowest levels hit on December 18 & 19, 2012, when we sunk down to 1056.33 — 13.77 feet below full pool.” Then highlighted in your own article a few lines later: 2008: 1055.89.
And in about 30 seconds on my Smartphone I have; lakelanier.com – Historical Water Level Data, “the record low level of the lake occurred in December of 2007 when the lake fell to an elevation of 1050.79 ft, approximately 20 feet below it full level.
Do a little homework!
Dear [email protected],
Thanks for pointing out my error in the story about Lake Lanier water levels.
You were correct. Please pardon my mistake.
Thanks,
RJS