MOBILE, Alabama – The Mobile District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today they will begin releasing water from Buford Dam, Lake Sidney Lanier, 24 hours per day beginning this afternoon.
“Rainfall of 6-8 inches from Tropical Storm Alberto that fell in the watershed above Lake Lanier during the last 48 hours has pushed lake levels above 1073 and an additional rise is expected,” said E. Patrick Robbins, District spokesperson. “We need to begin evacuating water from the lake to get back to the normal 1071 summer pool.”
To accomplish this, water will be released at a rate of 9,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) on weekdays and reduced to 7,000 cfs on weekends for the next two weeks. Provided no additional rainfall it is expected the lake will be back to normal summer pool level within the two week time frame.
These releases will increase flows in the river and will curtail some normal recreation opportunities downstream for the next couple of weeks.
“Wading and other uses of the river will be impossible at these flows. Only experienced boaters should attempt navigation during this time,” said Robbins. “We advise everyone to be aware of these additional flows and take all necessary safety precautions.”
Release no. 18-037