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?