Rains Helped Drought Conditions... Some

Rain and fog-enshrouded office towers along Atlanta's 14th St., Friday morning. (Dave Bender)

The US Army Corp of Engineers says the rain that fell across Georgia this past week helped alleviate drought conditions.

Corps Spokesman Rob Holland says Lake Lanier has gained about half a foot from it's lowest point at about 20 feet below normal, reached on December 26th.

Prospects were even better for lakes south of Atlanta.

West Point Lake rose several feet from the rains, and flow from the Chattahoochee, as did Walter F. George, according to Holland. He says both are reaching their average winter pool level.

The National Weather Service says Sunday's drencher saturated much of northern and central Georgia.

Although Monday morning's thick fog blanketed 49 counties, it burned off by noon. Overnight and New Years Day is expected to be dry and colder, with gusty winds.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the drought.

Columbus: Water Works filing suit against Corps of Engineers

The City of Columbus may join a federal lawsuit against the US Army Corps of Engineers. At stake are water use rights in the Chattahoochee River.

The City of Columbus's Water Works is asking the city council to join its case. It contends that the city isn't getting it's fair share of water. The plaintiffs say the corps is mainly looking after Atlanta's interests, at the expense of other downstream users.

Clifton Fey, an attorney for the City Council, says they will discuss the issue: “The Water Works and the City Council here in Columbus are going to take all necessary steps to protect the interests of all Columbus water users, and those of people downstream. It will be on the Columbus City Council agenda next week.”

Georgia, Florida and Alabama filed four similar lawsuits in US district Court in March. But the Water Works say those suits do not adequately represent Columbus's interests.