Why does Lake Lanier's level change with the seasons?

The Army Corps of Engineers lowers the lake in fall and winter (around 1,060 to 1,065 ft) to create flood storage, then refills it to full pool by late spring for the summer recreation season.

How does a low lake level affect boating on Lake Lanier?

Boat ramps, docks, and marinas are designed around full pool. When the lake drops 3 or more feet, some ramps become unusable and docks may sit on dry land.

Where does the Lake Lanier water level data come from?

Live readings come from USGS Gauge 02334400 (Lake Sidney Lanier at Buford Dam), which records reservoir elevation every 15 minutes. The gauge is operated in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Lake Lanier Level — Live Water Level & Elevation, Buford Dam

Q: What is full pool for Lake Lanier?

1,071 ft above mean sea level is the congressionally authorized normal operating level, set when Buford Dam was completed in 1957. At full pool the lake covers roughly 38,000 acres.

1063.21 ft MSL

Reservoir Elevation Above Mean Sea Level

1,050 ft 62.9% of full pool Full Pool 1,071 ft

-7.79 ft

vs Full Pool

1,071 ft

Full Pool

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Since Yesterday

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Reading Time

Inflow, Outflow & Storage · Buford Dam

USACE

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Inflow (cfs)

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Outflow (cfs)

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Net (cfs)

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Storage (ac-ft)

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Tailwater (ft)

Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District. Preliminary data, subject to change. Inflow is an hourly average; outflow is the current dam release. Tailwater is the river level just below the dam.

Upstream Rivers · Feeding Lake Lanier

USACE

River height (stage) in feet at gauges on the Chattahoochee, Soque and Chestatee rivers, which flow into Lake Lanier. Stage is height, not flow, so watch the change rather than the number. A rise upstream usually reaches the lake hours later; how long depends on distance and rainfall. Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District. Preliminary data.

Current Weather · Lake Lanier

NWS

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Today High

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Tonight Low

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Wind

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Precip Chance

Last 7 Days · Level, Inflow & Outflow

View data table

Hourly averages of Corps of Engineers readings at Buford Dam. Hover or tap the chart for values; with the keyboard, focus the chart and use the arrow keys. Gaps mean the Corps posted no reading for that hour. Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District. Preliminary data.

12-Month Elevation History

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This Year vs. Past Years

View data table

About Full Pool

1,071 ft above mean sea level is the congressionally authorized normal operating level, set when Buford Dam was completed in 1957. At full pool the lake covers roughly 38,000 acres.

Seasonal Pattern

The Corps lowers the lake in fall and winter (1,060–1,065 ft) to create flood storage, then refills to full pool by late spring for the summer recreation season.

Boating & Docks

Boat ramps, docks, and marinas are designed around full pool. When the lake drops 3+ feet, some ramps become unusable and docks may sit on dry land.

Data Source

Lake elevation comes from USGS Gauge 02334400 (Lake Sidney Lanier at Buford Dam), recording every 15 minutes. Inflow, outflow, storage, tailwater and river-gauge readings come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, and weather from the National Weather Service. USGS and Corps data are preliminary and subject to change.

Seasonal Water Temperature

Lake Lanier has no public live water-temperature gauge, so these are typical surface ranges by season — a guide, not a live reading. Actual temps vary by cove, depth, time of day, and recent weather.

42–52°F

Winter

Dec – Feb

50–70°F

Spring

Mar – May

78–87°F

Summer

Jun – Aug

58–78°F

Fall

Sep – Nov

Surface only — deeper water stays markedly colder year-round. Coldest near January (low 40s°F), warmest in July (surface can approach the upper 80s).