How
the River Systems Are Managed
Lake
Levels and Water Releases from Corps Lakes
Nearly
everyone likes to go the lake whether for fishing, swimming, boating
picnicking, or just sightseeing. But often the lake is not full. The water is
either higher or lower than when last visited. What makes the lake levels go up
and down? Are changes in some lake levels necessary? Why are some lakes always
full and others go up and down? This web page will answer some of these
questions.
Wet and Dry Seasons
In the
Southeast, rain falls in nearly every month. However, the need for water in the
Summer and Fall can often exceed the natural supply. One important function of
lakes is to store water when there is an abundance for use when it is scarce.
Most of the big lakes were built to serve many purposes. It is in serving these
purposes, which are outlined below, that water is released causing a fall in
lake levels.
Management Decisions
The Water
Management Section makes daily decisions and coordinates regularly with
representatives from the various areas for which the river systems are operated
-- hydropower, recreation, navigation, environmental, public affairs and others
areas, to exchange information concerning the operation of the river systems.
Daily water management decisions are determined using the information obtained
along with current project and basin data. A weekly District River System
Status report is prepared that summarizes the conditions in each of the
river basins. Operation of the lakes on the ACF system are also guided by use
of action zones. The action zones provide guidelines on
meeting the project purposes for each lake. What are these purposes and why are
they important?
·
Hydropower
·
Navigation
·
Water Quality and Water Supply
·
Flood Control
·
Fish and Wildlife
·
Recreation
Return to Water Management Home Page
For additional
information, contact Water Management at (251) 690-2717
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