News & Information
The Annual Lake Clean up has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 15, 2008. Please see the event page for details. Also, our Spring Spotted Bass Tournament has been scheduled for Sunday, March 9, 2008 at Highland Marina Resort.
Fish Attractors Missing from West Point Lake
For information regarding the theft (or relocation) of 80% of the recently installed fish habitat, please see the Fishing page.
Corps agree to reduce Lake Lanier Flow
Nov. 17, 2007- the Corps has a plan to allow Georgia to keep more of its water from Lake Lanier. The West Point Lake Coalition as well as lake advocates were not impressed with the plan. The Corps announced that it had begun to reduce flows from 5,000 cfs to 4,750cfs. It also has clearance to drop flows to 4,500 cfs and could go as low as 4,150 after discussing with U.S. Fish and Wildlife. The plan is based on the assumption that more rain would be coming into the system and as soon as the immediate crisis is over, flows will go back up to 5,00 cfs.
Exec. Dir., Dick Timmerberg said, "It's way to little and way too late". It's unfortunate that the corps and fish and wildlife have no common sense and continue to put the priorities of the mussels over man's critical needs." U.S. Representative, Lynn Westmoreland, was also unimpressed. "Fact is, Georgia is still releasing much more water than it is taking into its reservoirs, which are rapidly turning into red clay mud pits. I remain skeptical tha the Corps of Engineers will impelment the next steps to decrease outlfows, so I am firing up my torch to keep their feet to the fire."
Meanwhile in Washington, a panel of federal appeals court judges skeptically questioned whether the corps, which manages regional water resources, even has the authority to allocate the lake for water supply instead of for its original purpose - producing hydropower.
Annual Meeting 2007
A crowd of over 200 members and citizens attended the 2007 Annual Meeting at Best Western/Lafayette Garden Inn in LaGrange on November 13, 2007. Major Darren Payne (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District) was the featured speaker. Major Payne assured the group that the Corps plans to hold the lake at 622 feet above mean seal level with some minor fluctuations.
Executive Director, Dick Timmerberg, gave his annual "State of the Lake" report and advised that the lake contributed around 250 million dollars annually to the local economy. This information was submitted from the economic impact study paid for with funds from the SOS campaign. Already this year approximately 89 million dollars has been lost to the local economy due to low lake levels.
Major Payne was sent back to Mobile with an assignment that local lake advocates want answers to:
- Investigate why the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which has demanded guaranteed flows for endangered sturgeon and mussels, was able to bypass an environmental impact study to implement the interim operating plan. The IOP is forcing more water to be let out of the lake than is coming in, thereby draining the lake.
- Investigate the damages caused by implementing the IOP without the environmental study.
- Ask why the Corps can ignore congressional authorizations such as recreation and at the same time honor nonauthorized purposes, such as thermonuclear power. It has come to light in the last month that some of the guaranteed flow of 5,000 cu. ft per second is helping operate a Southern Company power plant in Alabama.
- Executive Director, Dick Timmerberg, asked Maj. Payne to get the corps to immediately fund an environmental impact study so that a new basin wide water control plan for the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint basin can be completed. Dick also requested that local citizens contact their senators and representatives to request that they give the Corps funding for the study.
Maj. Payne said that some fo the requests may fall under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service but no representative from the agency attended the meeting which was not surprising.
Maj. Payne and Pat Robbins (spokesman for local Corps office) said that negotiations with governors from Georgia, Florida and Alabama reached agreement that rain that falls into the lake will state in the lake as along as downstream requirements are met. Previously the lake could not store any water.
Finally some good news for dock owners, according to the local Corps office, it is possible to chase the water and extend docks as long as the docks don't cross each other or interfere with navigation. For information, contact Bob Chitwood, Chief of the local rangers, at (706) 645-2937 for information.
Westmoreland, lawmakers criticize Corps on water management
Thursday, November 8, 2007, lawmakers convened with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Washington, D.C. Other lawmakers in attendance were Rep. John Mica, R-Fla. and Rep. Bud Cramer D-AL.
Congressman Westmoreland stated that "the primary focus throughout much of this debate has been on Lake Lanier but we need more focus on West Point Lake in Troup County because it is in demonstrably worse shape than Lanier." Rep. Westmoreland requested that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers "balance" lake levels at all of Georgia's lakes equally. At Lake Lanier, the conservation pool is 51% while the conservation pool at West Point Lake is 13%. Further downstream, Walter F. George is at 21% while Lake Seminole is at 51%.
Locals also learned Thursday that U.S. Fish and Wildlife along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers intend to move ahead with plans to create another "critical habitat" area on the Apalachicola River. If established, more water would be needed downstream.
Flow Reduction - small step
West Point Lake Advocates were less than thrilled with the results from Washington regarding the proposal to reduce flows from Georgia lakes from 5,000 cfs to 4,200 cfs. Advocates here say inflows to the lake still are averaging less than 3,200 cfs, meaning water still wouldn't be stored here under the new plan. The proposed plan must still be approved by U.S. Fish and Wildlife becauase of the impact or potential impact on protected mussels and sturgeon downstream. A biological opinion is expected within two weeks.
Rep. Westmoreland visits west point lake
On Friday, October 26, 2007, Rep. Lynn Westmoreland met with Col. Byron Jorns, Commander of the Corps' Mobile, Al District Office at the local resource office on West Point Lake. Col. Jorns said that the only thing that would solve the chronically low lake levels and dwindling water supply across Georgia would be Mother Nature. Rep. Westmoreland said that Mother Nature is not going to solve this problem.
Rep. Westmoreland took the Colonel for a one hour boat ride on the lake to see first hand what the results of mismanagement of the lake have done to the shoreline as well as to the property owners on the lake. Rep. Westmoreland explained to the Colonel that the people in this area are tired of the Corps using West Point Lake to balance the other basins and requested that the Colonel work to come up with a plan for a stable lake level for long term results.
Rep. Westmoreland met with local citizens at the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce later in the afternoon to see the economic impact felt by the community due to the loss of the lake.
West Point Lake Coalition Annual Meeting
The West Point Lake Coalition annual meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, November 13, 2007, at the Best Western/Lafayette Garden Inn, LaGrange, Georgia. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM.
Due to the current lake crisis, it is more important than ever to attend this informative meeting.
The agenda for the annual meeting will include, but not limited to, the following:
Welcome, Opening Remarks, & State of the Lake - Dick Timmerberg
USACE Report - Major Derrin Payne, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District (along with Pat Robbins) (Question and Answer period to follow)
Major Jeff Lukken
Troup County Commission Chairman, Ricky Wolfe
SOS Fund Raising Results - Jeff Brown
Economic Study Preliminary Results - Dick Timmerberg
Environmental Study Preliminary Results - Joe Maltese
Fisherman of the Year Award - Mark Biagiotti
Ranger of the Year Award - Mac McGowan
Solar Lights Buoy Update
Website Update
2008 Calendar of Events
Closing Remarks and Next Steps - Dick Timmerberg
It's NOT only the Drought!
West Point Lake and all other Corps lakes on the Chattahoochee are at extremely low levels with little hope for a return to full pools anytime soon. While there is no doubt West Georgia has experienced one of the most prolonged periods of drought in recent history, the greatest challenge facing these lakes is the Interim Operating Plan (IOP) imposed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) requiring the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to implement it.
In very simple terms, thoughtout the dry summer months, more water is flowing out of these lakes, including West Point Lake, than is flowing into the lakes via the Chattahoochee River and during the crucial wet season of the lake winter and spring, the IOP does not allow enough water for the lakes to be refilled and levels to be sustained for the dry summer months.
To correct the situation and prevent a worsening of this natural disaster, the West Point Lake Advisory Council is calling on Congress to immediately suspend the IOP thereby compelling the Corps of Engineers to revert to the 1989 water control plan.
The IOP was devised more than a year ago by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to provide a guaranteed flow of water to Florida for endangered mussels and sturgeon. The IOP, as it exists today, is a poorly crafted plan based on flawed science. With little input from concerned citizens in West Georgia and other stakeholders across Georgia, the IOP in no way considers the basic human needs of those dependent on these lakes. Problematic in even the best of times, the continued implementation and enforcement of the IOP is having a devastating effect on much of Georgia.
The facts of an average day in the life of the these lakes this past summer are undeniable:
1.21 million gallons of water per minute flow into the Chattahoochee basin
2.24 million gallons of water per minute flow out of the Chattahoochee basin
In essence, the USFWS is placing a higher value on the health and well being of mussels and sturgeon than the basic human needs supported by the entire Chattahoochee River and the Corps lakes fed by it. If the IOP is not suspended or at least modified, it is easy to see that at the current rate of water flow, there will not be enough inflow to sustain these lakes. Even worse, we may not be able to see them refilled during the wet seasons of the spring. These lakes, as we know them, will be no more and in fact will not be safe or usable and drinking water for the entire basin including metro Atlanta will be jeopardized.
Members of the Georgia Congressional delegation have been involved in earlier efforts to modify the USFWS position on the IOP with little effect to date. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
Letters highlighting some or all of the following concerns can help to refocus the attention of the congressional delegation on this important issue:
- Personal stories of how your home or business has been affected by the drop in lake levels
- Requests for Congress to take immediate steps to promptly eliminate the IOP
- Requests for Congress to take immediate steps to stop the current, unreasonable flows into Florida that are draining the basin
- Requests for consideration of changes to the Endangered Species Act
- Citizens should demand a Congressional investigation into the abuse of the Endangered Species Act by the USFWS and the Corps and the results that cause damage to the entire river system, specifically West Point Lake
- Requests for Congressionale action requiring the Corps to restore all lakes in the region to full pool
- Requests for Congressional oversight over future actions by the Corps and/or USFWS that could potentially have devastating effects on the lake
These are just a few suggestions to be addressed in correspondences with the congressional delegation. While we can not prevent the devastating drought we have been in for a prolonged period, we can try to do something about the IOP with all of its faults.
Silence and apathy will ensure the continued devastation of West Point Lake as well as the otherCorps lakes on the Chattahoochee. To take no action is unforgivable. The time is NOW for friends of West Point Lake to raise their voices and demand action from their Congressman and Senators.
Important addresses are listed below; if possible, please copy the West Point Lake Coalition at P.O. Box 3677, LaGrange, GA 30241 so we can personally follow up as well.
Georgia Delegation to the U.S. Congress
U.S. Representative Lynn Westmoreland, 1214 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 - Telephone: 202-225-5901, FAX 202- 225-2515
U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, 120 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510- Telephone: 202-224-3643, FAX 202-228-0724
U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, 416 Russell Senatae Office Building, Washington, DC 20510- Telephone: 202-225-3521, FAX 202-224-0103
Bottom Elevations for Boat launching ramps
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released the bottom elevations of boat launching ramps for West Point Lake. The five ramps with the lowest bottom elevations are: Yellowjacket Recreation Area (west) at 617.0 feet, Horace King Park (south) at 617.0 feet, Dewberry Park (south) 617.0 feet, Sunny Point Park (south) 617.0 feet and Rocky Point Recreation Area (west) 617.0 feet. The Corps has also extended the dock to four of the ramps by 20 feet to make the water more accessible. The extended launching ramps have been marked by lettering and an arrow painted on the pavement indicating which lane is usable at lower water levels.
Please continue to use caution on the lake during the lower water levels. Obstructions, sandbars and other hazards have appeared for the first time in many years.
Solar Light Project Update
Please fill out the survey form from the following link:
- We know that the City of LaGrange has thoroughly reviewed the Recreation Component and we are in full agreement with their assessment and comments.
- The Economic Analysis done by IEc is flawed throughout with bad information and erroneous conclusions based on bad information. Unfortunately, the old axiom still holds true today: “garbage in, garbage out”.
- Testifying at the Columbus, Ga. hearing on July 9, 2007, and listening to the USFWS Report, I find it incomprehensible that no one ever visited West Point Lake during the economic analysis study. It would be laughable if it was not so disconcerting and egregious!
- After asking for a site visit and agreeing to one of three dates during the night of the hearing, the actual site visit was conducted a week earlier while I was on vacation, eliminating the opportunity for any first hand, on site input from the West Point Lake Coalition, whose Mission Statement very simply is “To Promote and Protect West Point Lake”.
- We were not given notice of the public hearing and were lucky that a fellow stakeholder informed us. After a year to complete the study, which is inaccurate and flawed throughout, we are given approximately three to four weeks to respond. This short lead time is inadequate to properly and accurately research, study, and respond in a complete and professional manner.
- In the flawed economic study, unbelievably there was never mention that the Congress of the United States specifically authorized West Point Lake for Recreation and Sport Fishing/Wildlife Development. Conversely, the study mentions the benefit to the fishery/wildlife in the Appalachicola for which there is no recreation/sport fishing/wildlife development, congressional authorization.
- Implementation of the proposed critical habitat during dry periods results in West Point Lake levels below both the established recreation impact levels, causes severe and unacceptable economic harm to our community, creates safety hazards on the lake which have resulted in numerous accidents (fortunately, no deaths as of yet), increases erosion and soil sedimentation, and totally ignores Congress’ specific authorizations! None of the previously mentioned were given any credence or study by IEc and/or USFWS.
- This study “focused” on a minute portion of the ACF Basin; to my knowledge, USFWS has never conducted a study on West Point Lake, its fishery, and/or its wildlife. And yet West Point Lake and its stakeholders are the most negatively affected.
- There is no meaningful mention or study of the decreased property values on West Point Lake due to lower elevations, the increased interest expense as developers’ lots and/or new homes sit, the impact on dock sales and maintenance, and the impact of lost fishing tournaments due to low water levels and unsafe boating conditions.
- There is no mention or study of the impact of tens and possibly hundreds of thousands of mussels dying on the disappearing shoreline of West Point Lake and its impact on water quality and water treatment expense.
- There is no mention of a possible “taking” of our water resource and moving it to another location with no compensation to existing stakeholders.
- Additional errors are found on the visitation numbers to the lake, the number of grocery stores in Troup County, and the boater dollars per visit. The report shows approximately $68.00 per boater visit and yet you can not fill a boat and truck to pull it with gas for $68.00; and what about food, snacks, beverages, bait & tackle, lodging expense, etc.