Sure, you think it’s autumn and I think it’s autumn, but according to the US Army Corps of Engineers (ACE), December 1st is the first official day of Winter Pool at Lake Lanier.
Lake Lanier is considered to be full during Winter Pool — which begins on December 1st and ends on April 30th — at 1070 feet above sea level.
Summer Pool — from May 1 through November 30 — is full at 1071 feet.
As Winter Pool begins, the lake is almost exactly 2.6 feet below full pool, at 1067.41. Compared to many other years, that’s great. Back on December 1st 2008 we were at 1051.17 feet, almost 19 feet below full pool.
(Yes, we should have purchased lake homes back then, but we were sure the lake would soon be drained to quell the insatiable thirst of those dang endangered darters.)
If my math is correct (hahahaha), the average level for Lake Lanier on December 1st since 2000 is 1063.27 feet, 6.73 feet below full Winter Pool. We might not be at full pool, but we’re more than four feet above average. That’s encouraging.
According to the Weather Squirrels in The Dancing Deer Forest (a secluded, secret almost-wilderness), we will have a mild winter near Lake Lanier. This has been determined by a secret observer of Weather Squirrel nut-gathering activity for more than a decade. This year the Weather Squirrels haven’t gathered many nuts at all. That means, of course, a mild winter. Or, perhaps, the End is Near. Time will tell.
Think it’s stupid to forecast the weather by observing squirrels? Ha!
Today’s weather in our area was perfect! Sunny, gorgeous and breezy with highs in the low 70s and a 100% chance of riding your motorcycle to lunch.
The Farmers’ Almanac weather forecast for today:
December 1st-3rd. Rain, wet snow, then clear, cold.
Save your money. Don’t buy the Farmers’ Almanac. Get a bunch of Weather Squirrels instead.
Historic December 1st Winter Pool Levels on Lake Lanier
- 2014: 1067.41
- 2013: 1071.36
- 2012: 1057.25
- 2011: 1058.31
- 2010: 1068.68
- 2009: 1071.36
- 2008: 1051.17
- 2007: 1051.75
- 2006: 1062.83
- 2005: 1069.18
- 2004: 1070.34
- 2003: 1069.71
- 2002: 1064.30
- 2001: 1058.92
- 2000: 1056.49
If there’s another drought on Lake Lanier in the near future, let’s buy a bunch of lake homes and sell them when the water rises again.
Click Here for Historic Lake Lanier Winter Pool Levels
