Whose thirst comes first? Orlando, Jacksonville areas face water war Dec 9, 2007
In the middle of an extreme drought, the Atlanta area wants to hoard water that flows from the dam at massive Lake Lanier, down the Chattahoochee River and into Florida's Apalachicola River and Bay. Florida residents and authorities covet that water as essential to the bay's seafood industry -- one of the state's signature attractions -- and to endangered fish and shellfish in the river. (Orlando Sentinel -- Business)
Corps to send Lake Lanier recommendation Dec 8, 2007
Florida opposes reductions of the amount of water flowing into the Apalachicola River, which is fed by the Chattahoochee River from Georgia. Florida officials fear damage to species at the river's mouth, which would hurt the seafood industry there. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Too soon for drought panic? Dec 5, 2007
Lanier's water eventually flows to Florida's Apalachicola River, home of two federally protected mussel species. On Nov. 16, the corps cut the amount of water that flows into Florida, and that combined with conservation and recent rainfall has bought more time for metro Atlanta's primary drinking water source. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Florida's watermen feel hung out to dry Nov 30, 2007
Not everybody here is mad with Atlanta, where the drought and water shortage have prompted water managers to reduce the flow in the Apalachicola River, a broad, meandering stream with natural vistas so stunning they take your breath away ... " The drought that's baking Atlanta has already done a lot of damage here, too. The river's flow had dropped on its own, before water managers reduced it further, and salt water has been creeping in from the Gulf and across the bay, steadily overwhelming the... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
About 130 days of water in lake Nov 29, 2007
That rainfall boosted the flow to Florida's Apalachicola River, reducing the amount of Lake Lanier water needed downstream. The corps, which operates Lanier, had planned by Dec. 7 to reduce water releases to Florida by another 5 percent. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Now a trickle down Nov 21, 2007
The area of Florida through which flows the Apalachicola River, formed near the Georgia border by the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers, was not pleased ... 2 billion gallons a day over the Woodruff Dam into Florida's Apalachicola River. (Bainbridge Post Searchlight, GA)
Mussels beached? Nov 18, 2007
The decision by Fish and Wildlife, which studied the effect of less water on federally protected mussels and about 350 Gulf sturgeon fish in Florida's Apalachicola River, did not permit the full reduction in water releases requested by the corps and backed by Georgia ... Reducing the flows a full 17 percent would have dropped by 1 foot the Apalachicola River, which is fed by the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Lanier keeps more of its water Nov 17, 2007
The corps has been required to release more than a billion gallons from the lake every day, in part, to ensure the survival of federally protected mussels that live downstream in Florida's Apalachicola River. The Fish and Wildlife's announcement was mostly good news for Georgia, which wants to hold as much water as possible in Lanier. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Atlanta's Reservoir Limits Started by Army Corps Over Florida's Objections Nov 17, 2007
Florida Governor Charlie Crist, who opposed reduced flows to the Apalachicola River, said in a statement he was ``disappointed'' in the decision. State officials had warned that cutbacks upstream would harm sturgeon and mussels in the Panhandle region and hamper its seafood and oyster production. (Bloomberg -- US)
Decision due Friday on Lanier water for mussels Nov 16, 2007
At issue is the billions of gallons of water the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is releasing from Lanier every day, largely to ensure the survival of two mussel species living in Florida's Apalachicola River ... The last time the fat threeridge's population was estimated, in 2003, biologists said about 19,000 lived in 25 sites in the Apalachicola River. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Marina store generates city council debate Nov 10, 2007
" Mayor Mark Harrell said he was encouraged by having almost a quarter of the slips rented within the first three months of the marina's operation without having done any marketing so far. Hobby agreed, citing a low-water condition on the Apalachicola River as one business-limiting factor, which he expected to be temporary. Planned unit development annexed In two unanimous votes, the council approved zoning designations for a major commercial and residential development planned by Mike Conder on... (Bainbridge Post Searchlight, GA)
Florida backs off water deal Nov 10, 2007
The plan would "starve the Apalachicola River and Bay of freshwater flows needed to keep the ecosystems, species and economy alive," wrote Michael Sole, secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist raised no such objections at a press conference in Washington last week, where Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne announced that the cuts would be implemented as the governors worked toward a longer-term deal. (CNN -- US)
Georgia withdraws water request Nov 7, 2007
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is assessing whether the reduction would cause the extinction of two federally protected mussel species in Florida's Apalachicola River. The agency is expected to give its answer Nov. 15. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
More water, more meetings Nov 3, 2007
The augmented Chattahoochee forms Lake Seminole and flows through Woodruff Dam and across the Florida border to become the Apalachicola River. Last year the state of Florida got the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to guarantee 5,000 cfs over Woodruff Dam into the Apalachicola River, citing, under the Endangered Species Act, protection of spawning Gulf sturgeon and two species of mussels, the endangered fat threeridge and the threatened purple bankclimber ...... (Bainbridge Post Searchlight, GA)
Florida strikes deal in water war Nov 2, 2007
The latest deal allows Atlanta to keep more water, which is expected to cut water levels flowing into Florida by 12 inches, affecting the Apalachicola River during its 107-mile trip from the Georgia line to Apalachicola Bay in the Panhandle. Andy Smith, executive director of the environmental group Apalachicola Riverkeeper, said he was disappointed with the announcement because Florida will suffer to pay for Georgia's weak efforts at water conservation. (Orlando Sentinel -- Sports)
Govs agree to slow Lanier flow Nov 2, 2007
The compromise still needs the blessing of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is expected to issue an opinion Nov. 15 assessing how the reduced flows could affect the endangered fat threeridge and threatened purple bankclimber mussels in Florida's Apalachicola River. The mussels are one of the main reasons the corps must send so much of Lanier's water downstream. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
That's head-butt. Not butt-head. Oct 31, 2007
Crist is arguing that reducing or restricting water down the pike will affect the freshwater mussels and some guy named Sturgeon, thus affecting the delicate bio-stuff along the area of the Apalachicola River at the Gulf of Mexico. It also creates hydropower to operate a coal-fired power plant. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Drought affects Coast Guard Oct 30, 2007
The long-term drought that continues to plague the Southeastern United States is affecting the local Coast Guard team, whose primary goal is to maintain the navigable channel between Columbus to the north and the Apalachicola River to the south. That's becoming increasingly difficult, though. (Eufaula Tribune, AL)
Crist should take message to meeting on water in D.C. Oct 30, 2007
Gov. Charlie Crist is headed to Washington this week for a face-to-face meeting with officials from Alabama, Georgia and the federal government on water levels in the Apalachicola River ... n Florida wants to maintain minimum water levels in the Apalachicola River to protect its health and to keep the needed mix of fresh and saltwater needed in Apalachicola Bay to maintain the oyster fishery, which produces 90 percent of Florida's oysters, and to protect other fisheries. (Pensacola News Journal)
Florida competes for water amid drought Oct 29, 2007
8 million people in the Atlanta metropolitan area, a nuclear power plant that lights up much of Alabama, and the marine life in Florida's Apalachicola River and Bay ... The Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the dam, manages the flow of water through the structure to generate electricity and to accommodate downstream users, mainly utilities, industrial plants and the fisheries of the Apalachicola River and Bay ... Once the water gets to Florida, it flows into the Apalachicola River and then... (The St. Augustine Record)
Atlanta's water fate tied to mussels? Oct 29, 2007
Everywhere she looks on the bank of the Apalachicola River are other fat threeridge mussels, half-open and dead, some partially buried in mud and poking up like headstones ... The biggest unknown is how much or really, how little water the mussels need to survive in the Apalachicola River, which gets its water from Lanier via the Chattahoochee River and the Flint River ... For all the brouhaha over the mussels, they only recently became part of the debate over how much of Lanier's water the U.S.... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Atlanta's thirst risks Florida way of life Oct 28, 2007
All three states dip into water flowing from the Blue Ridge Mountains down the Chattahoochee River past Atlanta suburbs into the Apalachicola River and to Apalachicola Bay ... "This request would withhold water needed in Florida's Apalachicola River and would have serious, adverse effects on the River and Apalachicola Bay," Crist said in a letter to President Bush. (Orlando Sentinel -- Sports)
Florida in 3-way drought dispute Oct 27, 2007
The Chattahoochee and Flint rivers join in Lake Seminole, a man-made lake at the border of the three states, before flowing into Florida as the Apalachicola River ... Federally protected mussels and sturgeon are found in the Apalachicola River ... For the Sunshine State, the Apalachicola River and bay are a source of jobs. (Palm Beach Post)
More reservoirs proposed Oct 27, 2007
Darren Payne said this week that the law currently calls for Florida to get the "minimum flow," that Georgia's drought "is not a situation where critical infrastructure is in immediate danger" and that COE and the Fish and Wildlife Service are trying to work out whether water flows can be reduced without harming the Apalachicola River's endangered species ... The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers guarantee a certain amount of water from Georgia's Chattahoochee... (Bainbridge Post Searchlight, GA)
Florida Resists Georgia Drought Proposal Oct 26, 2007
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has sued to try to force the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to curb the release of water from North Georgia lakes into rivers that make their way to the Gulf of Mexico through the Chattahoochee and Apalachicola River basin ... But doing so would hurt the Apalachicola River and Apalachicola Bay "resulting in a profound disruption of the socio-economic foundation in Florida's Panhandle region," Crist wrote in the letter dated Wednesday. (CBS News -- US)
Two states must cease skirmishing Oct 25, 2007
There has also been a lot of talk about the interests of people taking a back seat to the interests of endangered mussels in the Apalachicola River. If that were really happening, then I would agree with Georgia's leaders that such a policy makes no sense. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Crist opposes Ga. water plan (6:42 am) Oct 25, 2007
Crist asked Bush not to let Georgia suspend rules and guzzle more water from the Chattahoochee River because it would hurt the fishing and seafood industry of Florida's Apalachicola River and Apalachicola Bay, one that Crist says pumps $134 million a year directly into the economy and another $71 million in value added impacts. The industry is already in decline because of drought, Crist argued. (Pensacola News Journal)
Alabama fights Ga. water plan Oct 23, 2007
Also Monday, federal biologists waded in Florida's Apalachicola River, assessing what it would take to keep endangered and threatened mussels alive if less water is released upstream at Lake Lanier. Georgia has demanded the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers keep more water in Lanier to meet the needs of metro Atlanta during the deepening drought. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Perdue to Army Corps: Too much water lost Oct 20, 2007
The governor's office claims the amount of water the corps sends downstream is about double what Mother Nature would provide to federally protected mussels living in Florida's Apalachicola River. The corps releases a large amount of water from Lanier to protect the species and provide for a power plant in Florida, even as metro Atlanta faces a historic drought that threatens drinking water supplies. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
For many, drought and growth putting water in short supply Oct 17, 2007
Northwest Florida isn't feeling the pain being experienced in places like Georgia, but our neighboring states' problems have at least one direct impact: on the Apalachicola River, about 150 miles east of Pensacola, which feeds the great seafood estuary in Apalachicola Bay. Alabama, Georgia and Florida have been fighting for years over water levels in the river. (Pensacola News Journal)
Lake won't be lowered Oct 17, 2007
However, that's the amount the Corps is required under the Endangered Species Act to release from the dam into the Apalachicola River, after the state of Florida argued that much water was needed to protect two types of mussels and Gulf sturgeon spawning ... She said if the Corps continues to follow its existing operations plan, "there is serious risk that the reservoirs will be drained of all conservation storage. If that occurs, there will be severe water shortages for millions of Georgians... (Bainbridge Post Searchlight, GA)
Perdue threatens Army Corps over water Oct 13, 2007
Georgia's plan would mean immediately reducing the flows to Florida's Apalachicola River by more than half. Georgia wants its plan to stay in place through March 1. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Lake Lanier has three months of water storage left Oct 11, 2007
Together with Lanier, four other federal lakes on the Chattahoochee combine to send water toward the Apalachicola River in Florida, which is formed by the waters of Georgia's Chattahoochee and Flint rivers ... The plant, which opened in 1953 and produces enough electricity to power as many as 19,000 homes, had to lower its water withdrawal pipe on the Apalachicola River about 25 years ago ... That spring, just as the drought was beginning, the Corps released billions of gallons of additional... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Lake Lanier headed for 50-year low? Sep 21, 2007
Under the Endangered Species Act, the Corps says it is required to send 37,400 gallons of water per second via the Chattahoochee River and the Flint River across the Florida line, to the Apalachicola River. Lately, that's been far more than Mother Nature can give and the shortfall is being made up largely by Lake Lanier, more than 300 miles upstream. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Low water level Sep 12, 2007
Dry conditions along with a requirement to maintain water flow in the Apalachicola River to benefit threatened and endangered species, have led to these pool levels. Visitors are reminded that all campgrounds and day use areas remain open for use, and most of the boat launching ramps are accessible. (Eufaula Tribune, AL)
Marina opens for business Sep 1, 2007
" City leaders began investigating using the Earle May Boat Basin to construct the marina. The basin, which was created in the 1950s through the inspiration of later Councilman Earle May from a borrow pit dug for fill dirt used in construction of the U.S. 27/84 Bypass, was eventually passed over because of flooding concerns, the lack of a second channel opening onto the river to flush the marina and the impact the marina would have on natural springs located within the basin. The current Airport... (Bainbridge Post Searchlight, GA)
Miller Bags Florida Alligator Aug 30, 2007
With five individuals hauling in the heavyweight, Miller s Apalachicola River gator took well over two hours to load onto the guide s 16-foot john boat. The trip was cosponsored by Excalibur Crossbow and Muzzy, which are planning on featuring Miller in its company catalogs. (Fulton County News, PA)
UWF's Cavanaugh sets sights high Aug 26, 2007
And because we're the only state university west of the Apalachicola River, our sphere of influence is essentially the Panhandle. So when we talk engagement, the most obvious for the local community is Pensacola, Escambia County and Santa Rosa County, but we're very engaged in Okaloosa, Walton, all the way to Marianna. (Pensacola News Journal)
Torreya trouble Aug 18, 2007
As the man, who said he reckoned he don t want his name in the paper, casts his bait into the stately Apalachicola River in western Gadsden County, he recalls the day when dem trees the Florida Torreya - were abundant in these parts ... Some plants are so rare they exist nowhere else in the world but tiny plots surrounding the Apalachicola River or elsewhere ... The areas around the Apalachicola River where Boothe frequents are more than just photo-op hot spots, however. (Gadsden County Times, FL)
TriRivers: Keep up the fight Jul 21, 2007
Among the ongoing water issues are the state of Florida s refusal to let the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers keep a 9-foot deep navigation channel dredged along a short stretch of the Apalachicola River, which virtually stops commercial navigation from Alabama or Georgia downriver to the Gulf of Mexico, Houston said. In Bainbridge alone, Georgia Gulf Sulfur, Ergon, Steward Machinery and, according to Martin, TRACO, a new industry, would save a lot shipping by barge rather than by rail or road. (Bainbridge Post Searchlight, GA)
Water plan spurs comments Jun 2, 2007
He said his real question is what's going to happen in future drought conditions, given the Atlanta area's sprawling growth and "the state's agreement to furnish [certain amounts of] river water at the Georgia-Florida line for the Apalachicola River.". "Is Atlanta going to say we have to stop agricultural irrigation," said Jackson, "because Georgia law states emphatically that human consumption of water comes first, which is right, but after all, we also need food.". (Bainbridge Post Searchlight, GA)
How do you beat the heat? Jun 2, 2007
With the dry weather like it is, it really doesn't matter whether the cool waters are from the city's pool, the Apalachicola River waters or a sprinkler from grandma's yard, send us your "Beat the Heat" photos. Submit your photo with a good description of who's in the picture and what they're doing. (Bainbridge Post Searchlight, GA)
Tupelo Honey Harvest Hurt by Drought May 22, 2007
He harvests this tupelo honey only once a year, just after the white tupelo gum trees blossom in the swamps along the Apalachicola River. Heath Lanier, 3, waits to cap up a container of tupelo honey his mother Glynnis is filling, Wednesday, May 16, 2007, in Wewahitchka, Fla. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Business)
Tupelo Bees in North Florida Unharmed May 22, 2007
Honeybees in the Apalachicola River swamps around Wewahitchka have been busy making the premium, floral-flavored honey since early May, hindered only by a persistent drought, beekeepers said ... Northwest Florida, along the Chipola and Apalachicola rivers, is the only place where the honey is produced commercially. (ABC 7 News, DC)
MOU OK’d with concrete company May 19, 2007
The area delegations were there March 19-23 about getting funding in the budget for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to resume dredging the Apalachicola River in Florida to keep the navigation channel open. The state of Florida has strongly objected to the dredging, managing to bog down its federal funding for several years. (Bainbridge Post Searchlight, GA)
Remote Calhoun County eyed for environment-saving town May 19, 2007
Skip Hatos, who lives in the tiny nearby hamlet of Clarksville, doesn't want to stop the project, but he is worried about potential damage to the springs that feed the Chipola River, which runs into the Apalachicola River. And he's concerned about what impact a large development would have on locals' ability to draw water from their wells. (Herald-Tribune)
Chattahoochee mural gets reprieve May 5, 2007
At the time, Tipton, who died several years ago, painted a mural on the side of a now-vacant florist's shop of a paddleboat moving lazily down the Apalachicola River as a fisherman looked on. The mural became something of a city trademark, and when news broke that Walgreen's planned to raze the building it's painted on, several residents protested. (Gadsden County Times, FL)
Parks on Florida's Gold Coast Attract Wildlife, Humans Apr 15, 2007
May 30, 2004 - Apalachicola River. July 11, 2004 - Apalachicola Bluffs. (The Ledger)
Developers sniff green across the Panhandle Mar 25, 2007
Now there's a change in the sea breezes, the largest Panhandle discovery since we were told the gopherwood growing in the Apalachicola River Valley was proof that this was the Garden of Eden, and that Noah launched his cruising ark from this mid-Panhandle piece of paradise. Unlike the other Florida, long ago enriched by moneyed folks from afar, some of us have been mostly gopher-pulling poor here in Florida's back forty. (Pensacola News Journal)
Water Warriors Mar 24, 2007
The Chattahoochee Challenge, a 10-lap race on the Apalachicola River, is one of several races on the American Power Boat Racing Association circuit. Competitors in the Chattahoochee Challenge race mainly outboard pleasure craft or super light tunnel boats. (Gadsden County Times, FL)
A Pristine Florida Habitat Is Home to Abundant and Varied Wildlife Feb 26, 2007
In previous installments, The Ledger profiled Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas (6/12/06), Paynes Prairie State Park (3/11/06), Lake Wales Ridge State Forest (1/1/06), Wekiva River, (1 1/8/05); Kissimmee Prairie Preserve, (7/3/05); Fort Clinch and surrounding preserves Florida's northeast coast (2/12/05), Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines (7/11/04) Apalachicola River (5/30/04), Fisheating Creek (2/15/04); Disney Wilderness Preserve (10/13/03); the Upper Keys botanical preserves (9/7/03); Osceola... (The Ledger)
The boss rides the bus Jan 13, 2007
"We have a couple of unique ones - some leave at 5:30 a.m. and go as far as Chattahoochee to the Apalachicola River and to the Ochlockonee River in Coon Bottom," Lewis said. "We have to canvass those areas because we have to get them to school by 8 o'clock. On a normal day, it takes a driver about 20 minutes to leave the bus garage and get to the stop and then about 45-50 minutes to make the return route.". (Gadsden County Times, FL)
Rogers takes over as FRCC head Jan 9, 2007
The FRCC is the Tampa-based organization that is responsible for setting the reliability standards, procedures and policies for users of utility transmission systems east of the Apalachicola River. Rogers, who begins her job in February, spent 22 years with (NYSE: PGN) and precursor where she held a number of executive positions. (Tampa Bay Business Journal, FL)
