Save Our Lakes Now Position on New Drought EA

The Corps of Engineers has issued an EA for comment concerning the drought control plan for Lakes Thurmond and Hartwell. The new proposal represents a definite improvement over the past drought plan but falls well short of the drought plan proposed by Save Our Lakes Now and other lake groups over a year ago. Comments are requested prior to May 12th and we recommend all stakeholders around the lakes send in their personal comments. The way the Corps' proposal compares to the one proposed by Save Our Lakes Now and other lake groups over a year ago is summarized below.

Save Our Lakes Now proposed that release rates from Lake Thurmond be reduced to 3600cfs whenever the lake levels drop 2ft below full pool. The basis for the 3600cfs figure is two fold. First it matches the annual rate of rainfall during the droughts of record which means the lakes would be able to withstand the drought of record regardless of how long it may go on. Second it matches the release rates demonstrated to be acceptable to all stakeholders downstream of Thurmond Dam during the drought of 2008.

The New Corps proposal waits until the lakes are down 4ft before starting reduced flows the same as in the past. The Corps proposal then decreases release rates 200cfs (compared to the current drought plan) at each trigger level. The different trigger levels are 4' below full pool, 6' below full pool and 14' below full pool. These rates, while a step in the right direction, only increase the resulting lake level 2ft in a year above the current drought plan (each 100 cfs in release rate represents 1ft of lake level in a year). For example we would have ended up in 2008 at 316' instead of 314'. While this is a definite improvement it is not nearly as good as holding the total drop to 8' the way our proposal does and it leaves us open to the possibility of totally destroying the lakes if the drought goes on longer than in 2008.

Additionally the EA proposes further reductions November through January of 200 cfs at trigger level 2 and 500 cfs at trigger level 3. The proposals from lake groups included a 500cfs drop below the 3600cfs release rate during winter months. So again while the Corps proposal is in the right direction it is not as good as what was proposed by the lake groups over a year ago.

One additonal proposal Save Our Lakes Now recommends for drought control is to completely stop releases from Thurmond dam anytime the river below the dams is swollen from rains during a drought.
The actual Corps publication on the proposed EA is at http://www.sas.usace.army.mil/reports.html .
Comments can be submitted via e-mail to:
CESAS-PD@usace.army.mil

The official comments from Save Our Lakes Now will be as follows:
We have reviewed the proposals in the draft EA on the Savannah River Basin Drought Plan and we see it as a definite improvement over the current drought plan. However we feel a more agressive approach should be used to maintain lake levels. We continue to recommend that the release rates from Thurmond Dam be reduced to 3600cfs whenever Lake Thurmond is below 328' until the lake refills. And we further recommend releases be reduced to 3100cfs during winter months anytime Lake Thurmond is below 328'. Furthermore we recommend releases from Thurmond Dam be completely stopped during a drought anytime the river is swollen from rains so as to maximize the rate the lakes regain normal levels. 
 

You'll love this Community! Chickasaw Point or as the folks living there call it …”Quiet Quality… Where the Mountains Meet the Lake”…. Chickasaw point is a Private and Gated Community on the Beautiful Shores of Lake Hartwell.  This Area of the Lake is located in the “Golden Corner” of Upstate South Carolina in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Originally developed as a Leisure and Vacation Community, Chickasaw Point has evolved into a year-round Residential Community with a multitude of Amenities. Those include: Manned Gated Entrance, Golf Course, Olympic Size Swimming Pool, Tennis Courts, Beach and Picnic Area with Pavilion, Club House, Playground, Outdoor Basketball Court, Library and Boat Ramp. Please take the time to visit this Wonderful Community. You’ll be drawn to everything it has to offer. Come see this home and then compare to any other Golf Home (in a Lake Community) on the market. It would be difficult to find or even build a home like this for the price. Chickasaw Point is a wonderful community. Check it out at Chickasawpoint.org.

Greetings!

The lake has risen a foot just since last Saturday. The current level is 1062 and more rain is on the way. As a courtesy, particularly to our members who don't live on the lake full-time, we want to advise everyone that the lake level has changed significantly and is expected to increase further in the next few weeks. Stay aware of your dock cables and anchor poles and be sure they are adjusted adequately. The Corps of Engineers publishes a short-term forecast online which can be viewed at:

Link to lake level forecast

(Once you are on this webpage, click "ACF Lake Elevation and 5-Week Forecast" and then, click "Lanier" for the chart to display.)

Click here for Lake Hartwell Water Level information and projections.

Contact Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, Lake and Home Group for more information on Buying or Selling on the lake.

Yesterday, at a Listing appointment, I was asked – “When do you think Lake Hartwell Real Estate will level off and start to improve”. As you can imagine, that’s not the first time I’ve been asked that question. Actually, current statistics point to the fact that we’re there or getting very close. Based on 2011 and current numbers, I predict 2012 will continue to stabilize, more lake homes will be sold, and confidence in buying second homes will improve. Here’s why I feel that way: 2011 Lake Hartwell Waterfront Home Sales improved 22.8% over 2010 sales, the average Sales price was almost the same as 2010 (decreasing less than 1%), and average Days on the Market increased by only 8 days (4.4%). 2012 will still bring great deals, and buyers that take advantage of low interest rates, nice inventory of homes, and a better economy, will see their goals of owning their dream lake home come true.

Here are statistics for the 2011 “waterfront” Real Estate activity on Lake Hartwell. This list does not include condos and townhomes (source: SC Western Upstate MLS and does not include FSBO and non Upstate MLS listings):

                                                                                 2011           

Homes Sold –                                                             141                                                               

            Average Days on the Market –                       190                

            Average List Price -                                   $355,490            

            Average Sale Price -                                    322,900            

            Sale vs. List Price –                                         90.9%             

                        Note: List Price is the last price reflected in the MLS listing

                                  and may not be the Original List price. Also, some properties

                                  may have been listed multiple times.   

            Current Active Listings -                                 304                

            Current Homes Pending (under contract) -       19

If you’d like to receive an actual list of Lake Hartwell Real Estate (Waterfront Homes sold in 2011), please click on the link below or email Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, at sayjay@bellsouth.net.

Click Here to View Listings

The time to buy lake property is now ….”they’re not making any more of it”.   

By: Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, Lake and Home Group, 770-757-2799, just “Say Jay” for Real Estate

Lake Lanier Real Estate “Dockable” Lake Home Sales saw a big increase (about 20%) over 2010 sales. That’s another fantastic year! Buyers are still getting great bargains, but we may be seeing a leveling off and possibly the bottom for Lake Lanier Real Estate. Last year the average sale price was approximately $426,271. This year that figure has increased to $456,376.  I wonder whether that signals a turn around.  Lake home buyers all want the same thing – “a great deal” and good interest rates.  Buyers should continue getting what they want in 2012. 

Here are statistics for 2011 “Dockable” Lake Lanier Real Estate. This list does not include condos and townhouses. (Based on information from the First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS) and does not include FSBO and non FMLS listings):

                                                                                 2011           

Homes Sold                                                               171                                                    

            Average Days on the Market                         143                  

            Original Average List Price                       $557,919            

            Average Sale Price                                      454,555            

            Sale vs. List Price                                            81.5%             

            Current Active Dockable Listings                  366                 

            Current Homes Pending (under contract)         22

If you’d like to receive an actual list of the homes that have sold or that are pending, please click on the link below or email Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty, at sayjay@bellsouth.net.

   Buyer Full Report
       CMA Buyer

The time to buy lake property is now ….”they’re not making any more of it”.   

By: Jay Hufnagel, Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners, www.SayJayLakeandHome.com , 770-757-2799, just “Say Jay” for Real Estate

Just a reminder, the public comments on the Governor's Water Supply Program (GWSP) are due by 5:00PM on Monday, 12/5/2011. The Lake Lanier Association asks all persons in support of the 1073 full pool concept to submit a public comment indicating their support.  

Comments may be entered on the GWSP website at http://www.georgiawatersupply.org/. Public comment guidance and submission information is also available on the GWSP website.

Below is a copy and paste of the text of the public comment submitted by the Lake Lanier Association. LLA members are welcome to create their own comments using this information, but please do not simply copy and paste this text into your response. We think personally crafted messages from our members will be more effective than a generic response.

--------------------

The Lake Lanier Association has been an advocate for Lake Lanier for over 45 years. Our thousands of members as well as thousands of volunteers have focused on keeping Lake Lanier clean and full. Our annual Shore Sweep program has removed an estimated 500 tons of debris from the lake over the 23 years of its existence. Our association has advocated successfully for cleaner discharges into Lake Lanier from waste water treatment plants that discharge into the lake.Our track record as an advocate for the lake is long and consistent.

With over 7.5 million annual visitors, the importance of Lake Lanier to the economic fabric of the entire State of Georgia is well documented as well as its contribution to the quality of life. The Governor's Water Supply Program is a unique opportunity for the State of Georgia to focus on how Lake Lanier can contribute an even greater value to the residents and businesses of the state.

We want to call attention to the Project Types authorized under the GSWP:

1) Project Type

The GWSP may provide financing for water supply projects, including:

* expanding existing water supply, amenity or flood control reservoirs for water supply;

* converting flood control or amenity reservoirs to water supply reservoirs;

* increasing safe yield of existing water supply reservoirs through the addition of pump storage capability;

* removing sediment from existing water supply reservoir to increase safe yield;

* establishing new water supply reservoirs;

* interconnecting water systems for supply and/or supply redundancy;

* drilling new wells, including for direct potable use or streamflow augmentation that protects or enhances water

supply;

* reopening inactive wells;

* desalination;

* developing aquifer storage and recovery capability; and

* indirect potable reuse systems.

The two highlighted Project Types are directly related to a low cost way for Lake Lanier to contribute to the purpose of the GSWP as stated:

• PURPOSE OF THE GOVERNOR'S WATER SUPPLY PROGRAM

The purpose of the Governor's Water Supply Program (GWSP) is to align and mobilize the resources of the state of Georgia to assist local governments with developing new sources of water supply adequate to meet future water demands.

We would like to comment of two of the Project types:

• expanding existing water supply, amenity or flood control reservoirs for water supply

Through a coordinated program with the Georgia Congressional Delegation and the Corps of Engineers the full pool level of Lake Lanier could be raised by 2 feet. This would result in an additional 26 billion gallons of water storage. Since this volume of water would be above the current conservation layer, 100% of the water could be used for authorized purposes, as well as further insuring Lake Lanier as a source of water during droughts. This will increase the volume of water above the Conservation Zone by 7% and exceeds the amount of water contemplated by the new reservoir projects.

The decision by the 11th Circuit Appeal Court to set aside Judge Magnuson's ruling and to direct the Corps of Engineers to include water supply as an authorized use of Lake Lanier provides a unique opportunity to address this important issue. While new reservoir construction is expensive and requires considerable time, increasing Lake Lanier by 2 feet is relative inexpensive and can occur much faster.

Gwinnett, Forsyth and Dawson Counties as well as the State of Georgia Legislature have passed resolutions supporting raising Lake Lanier by 2 feet. Copies of those resolutions are attached.

The second project we would like to comment on is:

• removing sediment from existing water supply reservoir to increase safe yield

It is a natural occurrence that sediment builds up in lakes. Eventually sediment accumulates to the point of impacting the functions of the reservoir. Over the 50 year life of Lake Lanier, estimates vary as to the amount of sedimentation. Some estimate as high as 10% - 15%. If that were to be the case, then the total volume of water in Lake Lanier would have decreased by 61 - 92 billion gallons since the Corps of Engineers management of the reservoirs is based on action zones linked to total elevation of the lake.

Even though some of this sedimentation would have occurred below the Conservation Zone, nonetheless, much of it is above the Conservation Zone and therefore decreases the volume of water available for water supply and other authorized purposes.

Both of these Project Types have the impact of increasing the volume of water that is available for safe yield. The Lake Lanier Association recommends the formation of a special committee as part of the authorization of the GSWP to develop a project that will:

1. Establish the cost parameters associated with raising the full pool of Lake Lanier by 2 feet.
2. Establish the process steps necessary to move the project through the necessary Congressional and federal agencies.
3. Conduct bathometric studies to better define the amount of sedimentation in Lake Lanier
4. Establish the costs and benefits associated with removing sedimentation in the lake.
5. Work with the Corps of Engineers to define Congressional authorization parameters associated with sediment removal.

Lake Lanier Association is anxious to work with the Georgia Water Supply Program to assist achieving the goals of ensuring Georgia's water supply future.

From the Water your response will be... "Wow, Spectacular, now this is a Lake Home". Most of the Rooms in this Beautiful Home  look over a Large Lake Hartwell Cove and a Single Slip Covered Dock.

It's a very Short Gentle Walk to the Lake. Inside you'll find Everything you want in a Dream Lake Home, Huge Family Room with Views and Fireplace, Master Bedroom on Main with Sitting Area, plus an Additional Bedroom that can be used as a Study on the Main.  Downstairs on the Terrace Level you'll see a Large Bedroom, Full Bath, Work Shop and Entertainment Area. Outside you'll find a Huge 2 Car Detached Garage with Large Apartment with Bedroom and Full Bath on the second Floor. Enjoy the Multiple Decks surrounding this home where you can Entertain, enjoy your Coffee, Read, or Relax in your Hot Tub watching the Calm waters of Lake Hartwell.  Come see this Right now at 124 Indian Hills Dr, Westminster, SC. Offered at only $449,000.

Here's some great information that I just received from the Lake Lanier Association (LLA):

Just a reminder, the September LLA Social will be held Thursday, September 15th starting at 6:00PM at Fish Tales Lakeside Grill at Hideaway Bay Marina. Come by car or by boat. 6300 Mitchell Street, Flowery Branch, GA 30542. Print out this email to use as a coupon at Fishtales the night of the event.

Buy one entree, get the 2nd half price. Second item must be of equal or lessor value. Cannot be combined with any other offer including restaurant.com. One coupon allowed per table.

Also, we are looking for volunteers to help with advance shoreline scouting for the Shore Sweep event taking place on Saturday, September 24th. We have several shoreline areas of the lake that we would like an advance team to look at via boat and mark on a map the locations of Styrofoam or other debris that need to be picked up during Shore Sweep. This is a terrific way for people that may not have the availability or physical capability to help on Shore Sweep Saturday to still participate in this community event. If you would be available to help by being an advance scout, please email us at lakeinfo@lakelanier.org to see if there is a remaining area of shoreline for you to help map.

"As you may have noticed, the lake has dropped over a foot in the last two weeks. The current level is 1064.87 and the projections show a downward trend into the fall. A number of docks are in the process of being stranded and damaged as a result of declining water levels. As a courtesy, particularly to our members who don't live on the lake full-time, we want to advise everyone that the lake level has changed significantly and is expected to decline further in the next few weeks. Stay aware of your dock and boat to avoid unnecessary damage from the declining water level. The Corps of Engineers publishes a short-term forecast online which can be viewed at:

Link to lake level forecast

(Once you are on this webpage, click "ACF Lake Elevation and 5-Week Forecast" and then, click "Lanier" for the chart to display.)

Also, with Labor Day weekend approaching, we want to encourage all our members to be especially cautious around the lake and on the water. There have been several tragic situations resulting in fatalities on the lake this summer, so we encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with boating safety guidelines, watch out for other boaters, and take care when swimming."

By the way, it's still a great time to buy Real Estate on the lake.

Buyer Full Report
    CMA Buyer

THE LAKE LANIER ASSOCIATION IS PLANNING A SOCIAL JUNE 24TH. HERE'S SOME INFORMATION BELOW:

IF YOU LIVE ON THE LAKE AND/OR ARE INTERESTED IN LAKE LANIER REAL ESTATE, THIS EVENT COULD BE A GREAT WAY TO SPEND FRIDAY EVENING.

Affordable Housing Mortgage

With an Affordable Housing Mortgage from SunTrust Mortgage, Inc., you could enjoy the benefits of owning a home sooner than you think. This loan program offers enhanced flexibility, a low down payment requirement, and easy qualifying guidelines — to help you more easily achieve the dream of owning a home.

Main level laundry room

Newly renovated throughout

Bamboo & tile flooring

Fully finished lower level

Large game room

Kitchenette on lower level

Easy walk to dock

Irrigation system in backyard from lake

Easy care landscape

Large kitchen with cherry cabinets, granite & stainless steel

Great waterfront views from master, kitchen, family room, lower family room, gameroom

Screened in porch off kitchen & family room that runs the length of the home

Built in speakers in kitchen & gameroom

Speakers on screened in porch

Dock has upgraded electrical service

Pathway lights

Central Vacuum on main & lower levels 

Main level laundry room

Newly renovated throughout

Bamboo & tile flooring

Fully finished lower level

Large game room

Kitchenette on lower level

Easy walk to dock

Irrigation system in backyard from lake

Easy care landscape

Large kitchen with cherry cabinets, granite & stainless steel

Great waterfront views from master, kitchen, family room, lower family room, gameroom

Screened in porch off kitchen & family room that runs the length of the home

Built in speakers in kitchen & gameroom

Speakers on screened in porch

Dock has upgraded electrical service

Pathway lights

Central Vacuum on main & lower levels

With Memorial Day Weekend starting tomorrow, it’s easy to forget about all of our wonderful Veterans that have served in the Military, many of which have been injured or given their lives for our Country. Well, it’s my wish that we don’t forget. That we take a minute, and thank God for their service and devotion to the United States of America.

By the way, if you’re planning a trip or going to the lake, don’t forget to turn off your water at home before you leave. We didn’t turn ours off 3 years ago, and a $3.00 toilet gasket cost us close to $100,000 in repairs. Here's what happened!

Here is an excerpt from a recent email I received:

"The Masters Tournament is pleased to announce that our annual random selection process for Practice Rounds tickets is now available exclusively online.  In addition, the application includes the opportunity to apply for a very limited number of Daily Tournament Tickets (Thursday – Sunday).

As in the past, only one application per person or address will be accepted (one per household) and all applicants must be 21 years of age or older.

To apply for 2012 Masters tickets, please visit www.masters.com, select the "Tickets" tab from the top navigation menu.  To register, you must provide your email address, then a temporary password will be emailed to you.  After you receive your temporary password, you will sign in using your email address and the temporary password sent to you."

By the way, while your in the area, why not see some great Real Estate and Lake Property.

BY THE WAY, WHILE YOU'RE OUT AND AROUND THE LAKE, IF YOU SEE ANY LAKE LANIER REAL ESTATE THAT APPEALS TO YOU, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME AT 770-757-2799 OR EMAIL JAY HUFNAGEL AT SAYJAY@BELLSOUTH.NET .