This is not actually a weather question, but is related to our rainfall: What governs how much water the army corps of engineers releases from falls lake? Usually, during the summer, they fix the flow at a low level and leave it there, when the lake is below it's normal level of 251.5'. This year, they have been running it much higher, well above the average flow. This flow dwarfs our water consumption, and is the primary reason for the drop in the lake. I assume they have to meet flow requirements down stream, but have not been able to find anything on the subject.
Posted — UpdatedMIKE MOSS SAYS: Andy, In some drought situations, the Corps of Engineers will issue a periodic discussion summarizing the ongoing decision-making process for balancing regional lake levels and downstream river flows. The modest dry conditions so far this year have not resulted in a need for those kinds of regular information releases. However, I did get in touch with the CoE Water Control Manager for our district about your question. Here is his reply to the question of factors currently being considered to set release rates for Falls Lake:
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In some previous serious droughts, we have requested and received special permission from our corporate office in Atlanta to reduce releases and target flows. But this is only done IF our major partners in both State and Federal water resource and water quality offices support this effort to extend the possible storage in Falls Lake."
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