Army Corps Plans Higher Buford Dam Releases
The Army Corps of Engineers will increase water releases from Buford Dam as Lake Lanier remains low amid drought conditions in Georgia.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Current Conditions
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to increase water releases from Buford Dam as Lake Lanier experiences lower water levels amid ongoing drought conditions. Drought operations were triggered near the start of November.
Why it matters
Lower reservoir levels affect the water supply for the metro-Atlanta area, which relies on releases from the dam for drinking water intakes, wastewater dilution, and industrial cooling. The rainfall shortfall has persisted over an extended period.
Lake Lanier received slightly less than 28 inches of rain from January to August 2026, compared with a historical expectation of about 36 inches, and has accrued a cumulative rainfall deficit of more than 19 inches over the last 25 months, 17% below normal. The exact volume of the planned release increase was not stated.
The players
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The federal agency that operates Buford Dam and manages the Lake Lanier reservoir under its Water Control Manual.
Buford Dam
A dam on the Chattahoochee River in Georgia that forms Lake Lanier and supplies water releases to the metro-Atlanta area.
The details
Under the Water Control Manual, the Army Corps increases releases from Buford Dam when drought operations are triggered, which occurred near the start of November. Before this change, the dam had been making minimum daily releases to support drinking water intakes, wastewater effluent dilution, and industrial cooling in the metro-Atlanta area.
Timeline
January to August 2026: Lake Lanier receives slightly less than 28 inches of rain.
Near the start of November 2026: Drought operations are triggered at Buford Dam.
Winter 2026-27: El Niño is expected to increase the chance of rain.
Seasonal Patterns
Under the Army Corps' Water Control Manual for Lake Lanier, drought operations are triggered when reservoir conditions fall below set thresholds, and the current increase in Buford Dam releases applies that provision after a 25-month rainfall deficit. Forecasts of El Niño-driven winter rain may ease the drought's impact in the coming months.
Residents in the metro-Atlanta area should monitor local water-use guidance as drought operations continue at Buford Dam. Businesses and utilities that depend on the reservoir for cooling and wastewater dilution should review their current water-use plans against the higher releases.
The takeaway
Because Lake Lanier has been below normal rainfall for much of the past two years, conserving water during drought operations helps protect supplies across the metro-Atlanta area. Watching for updates on the winter rainfall outlook will show whether relief is arriving.
What happens next
Forecasts indicate El Niño may bring increased winter rainfall, which could ease drought impacts in the coming months.
Further reading
For more on regional drought developments, see Current Conditions in Georgia.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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