The state of the Chattahoochee River – a call to action

Abstract

The expanding use of Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River as a supply source for municipal and industrial raw water is a dilemma that continues to spark controversy, hardship and litigation. The demands placed on the upper river system and Lake Lanier creates cascading impacts downstream into the middle Chattahoochee region and on into the lower Chattahoochee region. Can the forecast demands of the Metro Atlanta Region be met without creating harm to downstream Stakeholders? Are there sufficient inventories of water to support the forecast demands, continue to support a thriving economy at Lake Lanier, meet the environmental needs of the river and provide downstream flows to support the other reservoirs and the continued growth of economies in the middle and lower Chattahoochee River Region?