Lakes Drying as Governors Hold Water Talks

Lake Lanier marina: Mud flats in foreground are fast approaching the boat berths. If the drought increases, the docks will be unusable. (Susanna Capulouto)

The governors of Georgia, Florida and Alabama are meeting today in Tallahassee for White House-backed water talks as drought conditions worsen in the region.


Lake Allatoona: Boats docked at nearly unusable marina. (Dave Bender)

The three states have been fighting over rights to the water in the Chattahoochee River for well-over a decade. North Georgia is in a record-setting drought and rains over the weekend didn't help much. Reservoir levels have been dropping fast.


Allatoona: Empty berths. (Dave Bender)

After a White House meeting November 1st, the governors of the three states agreed to talk some more, and the US Army Corps of Engineers has since slowed down the releases of water out of Lake Lanier -- Atlanta's main drinking water source. Florida needs water out of the river for the ecosystem in the Apalachicola Bay, and Alabama needs it for power plants.

Today's meeting could be the beginning for talks towards a permanent water pact that would end the tri-state water wars.


Allatoona: Receding shoreline, near bridge to Red Top Mountain State Park. (Dave Bender)


Allatoona: View to the south, from the bridge. (Dave Bender)


Allatoona: Shoal markers, high and dry. (Dave Bender)

Click here for ongoing GPB News coverage of the water crisis.