Contents

Sources:

Gulf of Mexico Flows

1 Gulf North

1a Tennessee River Watershed

1b Coosa River Watershed

1c Tallapoosa River Watershed

2 Gulf West

2a Chattahoochee River Watershed

2b Flint River Watershed

3  Gulf Southwest

3a Ochlockonee River Basin

3b Suwannee River Watershed

4 Atlantic Central

4a Oconee River Watershed

4b Ocmulgee River Watershed

4c Altamaha River Watershed

4d Satilla River Watershed

4e St. Marys River Watershed

Atlantic East

5a Savannah River Watershed

5b Ogeechee River Watershed

Drinking Water Advisories – including boil water alerts as posted by community water systems from time to time, notices and advisories posted by the state and federal authorities.

To Impaired Water Bodies (IWB) EPA 303d list

The EPA requires all states update a draft list of impaired water bodies (the 303d list) every two years; providing a period for public comments, presenting the draft list to the EPA.  The final 303d list is published as approved (or partially approved) by the EPA, roughly every two years.

Impaired water bodies are defined as those with contaminants measured above threshold levels, as set by the EPA Clean Water Act, or where the desired use is impaired.  The latest Draft List for Georgia is available on this site. 

This report tallies the total impaired water bodies in each watershed area. The list includes Georgia lakes, creeks, rivers and reservoirs that require management limiting release of contaminants and nutrients, a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plans.  The TMDL plan is a type of Clean Water Plans, established by a collaboration of municipal, industrial and environmental groups in an overlay zoning district.  

To Hazardous Algae Blooms (HABs) Beach Alerts (seasonal)

Hazardous algae blooms are reported here as reported to the Georgia public complaints portal and confirmed by Georgia EPD.  EPD contacts the water body local management and conducts testing for algal toxin levels if necessary.  According to Georgia EPD Media spokesperson, there have not been instances of algal toxins in excess of recreational water use limits. 

• Active, confirmed HABs will be listed by water body, date and time of the report, in the applicable watershed, with location information (accuracy of our location description is limited by the accuracy of the location tag in the EPD report).

Contact parks management for the current information on local conditions before heading out and consider using an on-site rapid test for microcystin.

To Spills

Georgia EPD 24 hour Emergency Operations Center 1-800-241-4113

National Response Center (NRC) at 1-800-424-8802

24-hour emergency line staffed by US Coast Guard for oil spills on water.

As per EPA Oil Discharge Reporting Requirements, the reportable amount of spilled oil product is any amount that leaves a visible sheen on the surface or a sludge at the bottom of the water body.  Such spills are to be reported immediately (within 15 minutes).  Spills from a vessel into navigable waterways are to be reported to the NRC in compliance with the Discharge of Oil regulation and Prevention of Oil Pollution regulation of the EPA.

From Georgia EPD Emergency Operations Centre, “oil” includes but is not limited to: gasoline, crude oil, fuel oil, diesel oil, lubricating oil, sludge, oil refuse, oil mixed with wastes, and any other petroleum related product. Accidental discharges of oil during maintenance of one’s own personal vehicle or farm machinery shall be exempt from the reporting requirement.

Note that all spills should be cleaned up, whether or not they are reportable.

WTGA reports spills from the latest records uploaded to the Georgia EPD Public Complaints portal.  Oil, diesel, gas, chemical spill reports are posted following incident response, with notes on remediation actions taken.  Various spill types are searched categorically each week and posted by watershed in which they are confirmed to have occurred. 

• Spills of petroleum products of 40 gallons or more, spills of any amount impacting water, spills of any amount of toxic contaminants are listed weekly in the watershed in which they occur, including location of the spill, the contaminant spilled (if known), the quantity (if known) and the resource affected (if known) surface water, groundwater, sewer, etc, and any amounts of contaminant material recovered at the site.
• Spills resulting from private vehicle maintenance, private vehicle accidents are excluded from this report.
• spills marked with asterisk * are tracked with state and/or EPA authorities for more information. See the CrimeBox for details on violations and charges under the Clean Water Act.

Sources:

WaterToday Georgia aggregates information and data from Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Health, EPA Region 4; United States Geological Survey WaterWatch Current Streamflow, USGS Groundwater Watch, National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by watershed area.  The accuracy of the information contained in our reports is dependent on these sources.  Provisional data statements apply, confirm data with local authorities before taking action.

Georgia’s landscape sends rainfall in two directions from the height of land, also known as the drainage divide:  southwest to the Gulf of Mexico, or southeast to the Atlantic Ocean.

Find your location in one of the five sections of our report.

Chart updated Mar 15, 2023 at 21:30 EDT  

Gulf of Mexico Flows

1 Gulf North

1a Tennessee River Watershed

The Tennessee River collects rainfall and runoff for the Ohio River system, which joins the Mississippi and empties out into the Gulf of Mexico.  While no part of the Tennessee River itself passes through Georgia, there are tributary creeks originating in north Georgia that cross the state line and join up with Tennessee waters.

• Lookout Creek drains an area of 149 sq miles of Dade County. The flow is monitored near New England: normal flow at this station is around 280 cfs and 5.4 ft deep. Minor flooding occurs at 12 feet.
• Chattanooga Creek drains an area of 6 sq miles of Walker County. The flow is monitored at Flintstone, has been around 80 cfs and 4.5 ft deep.
• West Chickamauga Creek drains an area of 148 sq miles in Catoosa County. The flow is monitored near Lakeview: has been 277 cfs and close to 3 ft deep.
• South Chickamauga Creek drains an area of 169 sq miles in Catoosa County. The flow is monitored near Ringgold: has been measured in this location at around 250 cfs and 5 ft deep.

Drinking Water Advisories (0)

Impaired Water Body EPA 303d List (167)

• 167 water bodies or sections of water bodies, including rivers, creeks, streams, lakes and reservoirs not meeting desired use or having measured contaminant above threshold levels are listed on Georgia’s IWB 303d list for 2020. See this site for the detailed list under the Gulf North Tab, for Tennessee Watershed.

Hazardous Algae Blooms (HABs) Beach Alerts (0)

Tennessee Valley Authority manages Lake Blue Ridge, including water releases from the dam, water quality testing, fish testing, assessment of lake health.  WTGA has inquired for bacteria testing and algae blooms.  No known alerts as of this report.

Spills (0)

• No spill records found for the search period Feb 13^th – March 13^th 2023 

1b Coosa River Watershed

The Coosa River is a collection of several tributary rivers gathered from northwest Georgia.  At the beginnings of this system, the Conasauga River and Coosawattee Rivers join up to form the Oostanaula River.  The Oostanaula in turn joins flow with Etowah River system to form the Coosa River.  The Coosa runs west into Alabama where it merges with the Tallapoosa River across the state line in Alabama, forming the Alabama River, eventually reaching the Gulf of Mexico. 

(Confusion alert** Watch for another river by the same name (Chattooga) in northeast Georgia! These two are not the same.)

• Conasauga River drains an area of 8.24 sq miles in Murray County. Normal flow at Tilton is around 1000 cfs and 4.7 ft deep
• Mill Creek drains an area of 40 sq miles in Whitfield County. Normal flow at Dalton is around 60 cfs and 4.5 ft deep
• Coahulla Creek drains an area of 176 sq miles in Whitfield County. Normal flow near Dalton is around the 244 cfs mark and 8.8 ft deep
• Coosawattee River drains an area of 831 sq miles in Gordon and Murray Counties. Normal flow at Pine Chapel is right around the 2100 cfs mark, and 8.5 ft deep
• Talking Rock Creek drains an area of 119 sq miles. Normal flow near Hinton is right around 170 cfs and 1.5 feet deep
• Holly Creek drains an area of 1602 sq miles in Gordon County. The normal flow near Chatsworth is 100 cfs and 2.5 ft deep. The water temp is monitored at this station.
• Fausett Creek drains an area of 9.99 sq miles in Gilmer County. Normal flow near Talking Rock is 10 cfs and 1.5 ft deep
• Oostanaula River drains an area of 2115 sq miles in Gordon and Floyd Counties. Normal flow at Resaca is around 3400 cfs and 7 ft deep
• Etowah River drains an area of 1634 sq miles in Dawson, Bartow and Cherokee Counties.
• The flow at GA 136 near Landrum is around 250 cfs and 2.8 ft deep (flood stage is 14 ft); temperature and specific conductance are measured here
• at GA9 near Dawsonville a normal flow is around 320 cfs and 5 ft deep (flood stage is 13 ft) temperature and specific conductance are measured here
• at Kelly Bridge near Matt the normal flow is around 670 cfs and 2.5 ft deep (flood stage is 19 ft);
• normal flow downstream of I-575 at Canton in Cherokee County is 1250 cfs ad 5 ft deep (flood stage is 17 ft);
• at Canton the normal flow is under 4000 cfs and 4 ft deep (flood stage is 16 ft) temperature is monitored here;
• at Allatoona Dam above Cartersville in Bartow County, flow is variable, as the water is released on a regular cycle it fluctuates but is not allowed to get to flood stage. Normal flow is less than 4000 cfs and 4 ft deep (flood at 9ft) temperature is monitored here.
• at Allatoona Dam the water is normally around 690 ft deep;
• at GA61 near Cartersville a normal flow is around 4000 cfs and 9.8 ft deep (flood stage is 18 ft);
• near Kingston, normal flow volume is 1500 cfs and 4.5 ft deep (floods at 20 ft)
• Two Run Creek drains an area of 33.1 sq miles in Bartow County. Normal flow near Kingston is 60 cfs and 1.5 ft deep
• Oothcalooga River drains an area of 62.6 sq miles in Gordon County. The normal flow rate at GA 53 spur near Calhoun is around 130 cfs and 7.7 ft deep
• Coosa River drains an area of 4040 sq miles in Floyd County. Normal flow near Rome is 5600 cfs and 12.8 ft deep (flood stage is 24 ft). The water temp is monitored at this station
• Chattooga River (of the northwest) drains an area of 4040 sq miles of northwest Georgia. Normal flow at Summerville is around 400 cfs and 3.8 ft deep (flood stage is 14 ft)

Drinking Water Advisories (0)

Impaired Water Body EPA 303d List (408)

• 408 water bodies or sections of water bodies, including rivers, creeks, streams, lakes and reservoirs not meeting desired use or having measured contaminant above threshold levels are listed on Georgia’s IWB 303d list for 2020. See this site for the detailed list under the Gulf North Tab, for Coosa Watershed.

Hazardous Algae Blooms (HABs) Beach Alerts (0)

Allatoona Lake and dam are located in this watershed. TVA has been contacted for more information on the reservoir water quality.

Spills (0)

• No spill records found for the search period Feb 13^th – March 13^th 2023 

1c Tallapoosa River Watershed

The Tallapoosa River originates in northwest Georgia, draining an area of Paulding and Haralson counties before crossing the state line and joining the Coosa River, forming the Alabama River.

• Tallapoosa River drains an area of 272 sq miles of Haralson County. The flow at US78 near Tallapoosa is 83.14% above mean at 408 cfs and 2.71 ft deep as of 02/16/23
• Little Tallapoosa drains an area of 245 sq miles of Carroll County. The flow at GA100 near Bowden is 80.29% above mean at 465 cfs 5.41 ft deep; at Carrollton is normal, 78.37% above mean at 155 cfs and 3.54 ft deep as of 02/16/23
• Cedar Creek drains an area of 65.3 sq miles of Polk County. The flow at Cedartown is normal, 61.72% above mean at 174 cfs and 1.50 ft deep as of 02/16/23  
• Snake Creek drains an area of 35.5 sq miles of Carroll County. The flow near Whitesburg is normal, 104.18% above mean at 59.8 cfs and 2.2 ft deep as of 02/16/23
• Snake Creek Reservoir drains an area of 34 sq miles in Carroll County. The flow is 113.72 % above mean at 55.7 cfs and 4 ft deep. The water temp is 10.5 °C as of 02/16/23
• Dog River drains an area of 66 sq miles of Douglas County. The flow at GA 5 near Fairplay  11% above mean at 112 cfs and 4 ft deep. The water temp is 13.1 °C. 02/16/23

Drinking Water Advisories (0)

Impaired Water Body EPA 303d List (54)

• 54 water bodies or sections of water bodies, including rivers, creeks, streams, lakes and reservoirs not meeting desired use or having measured contaminant above threshold levels are listed on Georgia’s IWB 303d list for 2020. See this site for the detailed list under the Gulf North Tab, for Tallapoosa River Watershed.

Hazardous Algae Blooms (HABs) Beach Alerts (0)

Spills (0)

• No spill records found for the search period Feb 13^th – March 13^th 2023 

Chart updated Mar 15 17:00 EDT

2 Gulf West

2a Chattahoochee River Watershed

The Chattahoochee headwaters form up near Helen, in northeast Georgia in the Appalachian Mountains.  From Union County, the Chattahoochee flowing southwest, through the capital and then south, forming the state border with Alabama, terminating in Lake Seminole.

• Chattahoochee River drains an area of 8210 sq miles from the northeast to the southwest. The flow
• At Helen is normal, 59.39% above mean at 127 cfs and 0.98ft deep, 10.8°C.;
• At Buford Dam near Buford, normal flow is less than 5000 cfs and 3 ft deep; minor flood stage at this location is 12 ft. Water temperature is measured here.* flowing much above normal as of Feb 24 9:45 EST – 5900 cubic feet per second and 3.08 ft deep
• At Atlanta, normal flow is less than 5000 cfs and 6 ft deep (minor flood stage 14 ft) *flowing much above normal as of Feb 24 9:43 EST 6610 cfs and 6.86 ft deep
• At GA 280 near Atlanta, normal flow is around 5000 cfs and 9.6 ft deep (minor flood stage 24 ft)
• at Leaf flow is normal, 61.05% above mean at 365 cfs and 2.18 ft deep;
• at GA100 at Cornelia, normal flow is around 680 cfs and 1.35 ft deep;
• near Fairburn, normal flow is around 5600 cfs and 5 ft deep.
• Powder Springs Creek drains an area of 23 sq miles of Cobb County. The flow near Powder Springs 69.89% above mean at 27.5cfs and 1.86 ft deep as of 02/16/23
• Noses Creek drains an area of 44.5 sq miles of Cobb County. The flow at Powder Road is 57.97% above mean at 43.9 cfs and 2.74 ft deep as of 02/16/23
• Sweetwater Creek drains an area of 13.5 sq miles of Cobb County. The flow at Powder Springs is 108.71% above mean at 181 cfs and 5.15 ft deep as of 02/16/23
• Nickajack Creek drains an area of 31 sq miles in Cobb County. The flow near Mableton is 62.12% above mean at 31.4 cfs and 1.94 ft deep as of 02/16/23
• Utoy Creek drains an area of 33 sq miles in Fulton County. The flow is unrated, 35% above mean at 51.7 cfs and 3.27 ft deep. The water temp is 15.0°C as of 02/16/23
• Nancy Creek drains an area of 26.6 sq miles in County. The flow at Atlanta is 60.70% above mean at 25.3 cfs and 0.83 ft deep. The water temp is 11.9 °C as of 02/16/23

Drinking Water Advisories (0)

Impaired Water Body EPA 303d List (403)

• 403 water bodies or sections of water bodies, including rivers, creeks, streams, lakes and reservoirs not meeting desired use or having measured contaminant above threshold levels are listed on Georgia’s IWB 303d list for 2020. See this site for the detailed list under the Gulf West Tab, for Chattahoochee River Watershed.

Hazardous Algae Blooms (HABs) Beach Alerts (0)

Spills (0)

• No spill records found for the search period Feb 13^th – March 13^th 2023 

2b Flint River Watershed

The Flint River originates south of Atlanta and gathers run-off from 7570 sq miles of Georgia as it traverses the course north to south, flowing west through Alabama to empty in the Gulf of Mexico.

• Flint River drains an area of 7570 sq miles down the west side of the state. The flow near Griffin in Spalding County is normal, 54.49% above mean at 283 cfs and 4.47 ft deep as of 02/16/23
• below Big Branch, Pike County flow is 178.67% above mean at 1690 cfs and 9.02 ft deep as of 02/02/23
• at Thomaston, Upson County, flow is normal, 64.66% above mean at 1600 cfs and 4.58 ft deep as of 02/16/23
• near Carsonville in Upson County, flow is normal, 68.14% above mean, 2620 cfs and 5.02 ft deep as of 02/16/23
• at GA 26 near Montezuma, Macon County, the flow is normal 110.31% above mean at 6600 cfs and 8.52 ft deep as of 02/16/23
• at GA 32 near Oakfield in Worth County the flow is normal, 122.53% above mean at 8290 cfs and 8.74 ft deep as of 02/16/23
• at Albany, Dougherty County, the flow is normal 103.64% above mean at 10900 cfs and 9 ft deep as of 02/16/23
• at Newton in Baker County, the flow is normal, 113.13 % above mean at 11800 cfs and 11.76  ft deep as of 02/16/23
• at Riverview Plantation near Hopeful in Mitchell County, the flow is 117.4% above mean at 14400 cfs and 14.46 ft deep as of 02/16/23
• at Bainbridge, Decatur County the flow is normal, 119.51% above mean at 15200 cfs and 20.57 ft deep (flood stage 22ft). The water temp is 13.1°C as of 02/16/23

Drinking Water Advisories (0)

Impaired Water Body EPA 303d List (263)

• 263 water bodies or sections of water bodies, including rivers, creeks, streams, lakes and reservoirs not meeting desired use or having measured contaminant above threshold levels are listed on Georgia’s IWB 303d list for 2020. See this site for the detailed list under the Gulf West Tab, for Flint River Watershed.

Hazardous Algae Blooms (HABs) Beach Alerts (0)

Spills (0)

• No spill records found for the search period Feb 13^th – March 13^th 2023 

Table updated Mar 15 17:00 EDT

3  Gulf Southwest    

3a Ochlockonee River Basin

Ochlockonee River originates in Worth County in southwest Georgia.  The Ochlockonee catchment area drains a combined 1400 plus square miles of Georgia landscape before exiting into Florida and emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. Main use is for fishing. Two smaller and separate watersheds within the Ochlockonee basin, the Aucilla and Wards Creek each have their separate channels directly dumping into the Gulf of Mexico (not monitored).  The main tributary rivers and creeks are the Little Ochlockonee River, Tired Creek, Telogia Creek and Crooked River (not monitored).

• Ochlockonee River drains an area of 1002 sq miles in Worth, Thomas and Leon counties. The flow
• at GA188 near Coolidge in Thomas County is 153.83% above mean at 1370 cfs and 10.54 ft deep (floods at 13 ft);
• near Thomasville in Thomas County is above normal, 209.3% above mean flow at 2510 cfs and 12.98 ft deep (floods at 15 ft);
• near Concord, at the Georgia/Florida border in Leon County is 428.03% above mean at 5130 cfs and 35.99 feet deep (flood stage is 36 ft). (updated 02/16/23)

Drinking Water Advisories (0)

Impaired Water Body EPA 303d List (45)

• 45 water bodies or sections of water bodies, including rivers, creeks, streams, lakes and reservoirs not meeting desired use or having measured contaminant above threshold levels are listed on Georgia’s IWB 303d list for 2020. See this site for the detailed list under the Gulf Southwest Tab, for Ochlockonee River Watershed.

Hazardous Algae Blooms (HABs) Beach Alerts (0)

• No reports of HABs this week

Spills (1)

• March 6 – Caller reports a development company is causing run off onto an access road the resident uses to access her driveway in Augusta – Richmond – the roadway is always saturated – occasionally smells like sewage and has noticed a sheen – File closed March 6

3b Suwannee River Watershed

The Suwanee River originates in the Okefenokee Wilderness, between State Hwy 122 and Valdosta Highway.  The blackwater Suwannee and its major tributaries, the Willacoochee, Withlacoochee, Alapaha and Little Rivers channel run-off from more than 5000 sq miles from parts of twenty counties in Georgia before crossing over into Florida to empty into the Gulf of Mexico.

• Suwannee River drains 1130 sq miles in south central Georgia. The flow

- above Fargo in Clinch County indicates flow depth of 9.51 feet;

- at US 441 at Fargo in Clinch County the flow is normal, 56.6

% above mean at 7.16 cfs and 7.16 ft deep.  The channel floods at 13 ft in this location. (update 02/16/23)

• Little River drains an area of 776 sq miles in Georgia before joining the Withlacoochee. The Little River is flowing
• at Upper Ty Ty Road near Tifton in Tift County is unrated, at 94.41% above mean at 477 cfs, and 2.98 ft deep;
• near Adel in Cook County is above normal, 229.8% above the mean, 3400 cfs and 13.42 ft deep (flood stage is 15.9 ft);
• near Hahira in Lowndes is flowing 273.7% above the mean at 5620 cfs and 16.40 ft deep. Flooding occurs at 15.2 ft at this section of the river. (Update 02/16/23)
• Alapaha River drains an area of 1730 sq miles of south-central Georgia.

The flow

• at GA 195/32 near Irwinville in Irwin County is 183.7% above mean at 2300 cfs and 5.98 ft deep (flood stage is 9.9 ft);
• near Alapaha is much above normal, 362.3% above meat at 4740 cfs and 13.56 ft deep (flooding occurs at 15.4 ft);
• at Statenville in Echols County is much above normal, 6070 cfs and 22.6 ft deep. Flood stage is9 ft at this location. (Update 02/24/23)
• Withlacoochee River drains an area of 1480 sq miles. The flow at
• Skipper Bridge Rd near Bemiss in Lowndes County is much above normal, 368.2% above mean at 3700 cfs and 15.86 feet deep (flood stage is 14.7 ft);
• near Valdosta is 15.73 ft deep; at Quitman flow is much above normal 442.8% above the mean, 9820 cfs and 21.52 ft deep (flood stage at 20.5 ft) 14 C and 64 µS/cm.;
• near Pinetta, Florida normal flow is less than 8000 cfs and 19 ft deep, (flood stage 26.5 ft) temperature and conductance are measured here, 65 µS/cm as of 02/16/23

Drinking Water Advisories (0)

Impaired Water Body EPA 303d List (127)

• 127 water bodies or sections of water bodies, including rivers, creeks, streams, lakes and reservoirs not meeting desired use or having measured contaminant above threshold levels are listed on Georgia’s IWB 303d list for 2020. See this site for the detailed list under the Gulf Southwest Tab, for Suwannee River Watershed.

Hazardous Algae Blooms (HABs) Beach Alerts (0)

• No alerts posted this week

Spills (0)

• No spill records found for the search period Feb 13^th – March 13^th 2023 

Chart updated Mar 15 16:30 EDT

4 Atlantic Central

4a Oconee River Watershed

The Oconee headwaters form in Hall County, flowing southeast through Middle and North Oconee Channels to form the Oconee River below Athens.  From here the system flows into Lake Oconee, formed by the Wallace Dam and Sinclair Lake formed by the Sinclair Dam.  The Oconee flows down from the dams to its confluence Ocmulgee River, eventually emptying into the Atlantic.

• Middle Oconee drains an area of 398 sq miles in Jackson and Clarke Counties before joining the North Oconee stream to form Oconee River.
• North Oconee drains an area of 275 sq miles of Jackson and Clarke Counties before joining up with Middle Oconee below Athens. The flow
• at Commerce is, 86.03% above mean at 148 cfs and 2.93 ft deep (flood stage is 15 ft);
• at Athens flow is unrated, 93.27% above mean at 651 cfs and 2.04 ft deep (floods at 19 ft) 02/16/23
• Oconee River drains an area of 5110 sq miles of Wheeler, Laurens, Wilkinson, Baldwin, Greene and the above Counties. The flow monitor

- near Penfield in Greene County shows normal flow, 90.46% above mean at 1550 cfs and 6.07 ft deep (floods at 13 ft);

- at Milledgeville in Baldwin County shows normal flow, 70.5% above mean at 3480 cfs and 9.92 ft deep (flood stage 30 ft);

- at Avant Mine near Oconee in Washington County is 143.6% above mean at 5810 cfs and 10.08 ft deep (floods at 18 ft);

- near Oconee in Wilkinson County is unrated, 143.60% above mean at 5810 cfs and 10.08 ft deep (flood stage 17 ft); 

- at Dublin in Laurens County flow is much above normal, 201.11% above mean at 15700 cfs and 17.85 ft deep (floods at 21 ft);

- near Mt. Vernon in Wheeler County the flow is above normal, 137.71% above mean at 12700 cfs and 12.87 ft deep (floods at 16 ft)

(updated 02/16/23)

Drinking Water Advisories (2)

*New March 14 – Ivey (Wilkinson) Boil advisory has been issued for the Jackson Road and South Lakeshore side of Ivey. Due to the water being turned off for a leak repair, Environmental Protection Division regulations require a sample to be tested, which takes 24 hours.

March 9 – Milledgeville (Baldwin) Boil Water Advisory issued for Milledgeville by the city's water department impacting residents at 1831, 1835, and 1839 Tanglewood Road addresses, due to a water main repair. According to the department, the water pressure at these addresses dropped to a 'dangerously low' level and could cause a potential health hazard with backflow and back-siphonage of unknown water quality in the distribution system.

Hazardous Algae Blooms (HABs) Beach Alerts (0)

• No new blooms or toxin alerts posted

Spills (2)

• Feb 17 – Caller reports an unknown land disturbing activity on Corder Rd in Warner Robbins – Houston – this is causing sediment to escape from one acre of disturbed ground to impact other homes and properties – File closed March 3
• Feb 16 – Caller reports that the debris from the bridge construction at Short Creek is being dumped and buried in the woods next to the creek located on Hwy 16 in Warrenton – Warren

Impaired Water Body EPA 303d List (281)

• 281 water bodies or sections of water bodies, including rivers, creeks, streams, lakes and reservoirs not meeting desired use or having measured contaminant above threshold levels are listed on Georgia’s IWB 303d list for 2020. See this site for the detailed list under the Atlantic Central, for Oconee River Watershed.

4b Ocmulgee River Watershed

Ocmulgee River originates at Jackson Lake, straddling Jasper, Newton and Butts Counties.  The Ocmulgee flows south to join the Oconee River, forming the Altamaha River.  Jackson Lake is fed by three rivers: South, Yellow and Alcovy Rivers originating in Central Georgia, all part of the Ocmulgee Watershed area.

• South River drains an area of 468 sq miles in Newton, Dekalb and Fulton Counties. The flow
• at Springdale Rd in Atlanta 2.48 ft deep (flood stage 17 ft) 13.5°C and 198 µS/cm;
• at Forrest Park Rd in Atlanta, flow is 42.33% above mean at 17.5 cfs and 3.13 ft deep (flood stage 15 ft) 12.7 °C and 160 µS/cm;
• at Flakes Mill Rd near Atlanta in Dekalb County is 86.78% above mean at 205 cfs and 3.45 ft deep (flood here at 13 ft) 12.0C and 136 µS/cm;
• at Klondike Rd near Lithonia in Dekalb County is normal, 54.08% above mean at 234 cfs and 5.44 ft deep (flood stage is 12 ft);
• at GA81 at Snapping Shoals in Newton County the flow is 66.44% above mean at 661 cfs and 7.30 ft deep (flood stage is 12 ft). (Updated 02/16/23).
• Yellow River drains an area of sq miles in Dekalb and Counties. The flow at Pleasant Hill Rd near Lithonia in Dekalb County is 86.10% above mean at 387 cfs and 2.60 ft deep (floods at 13 ft);
• at Milstead in Rockdale County flow information unavailable, 2.18 ft deep (floods at 13ft);
• at Rocky Plains Rd near Rocky Plains in Newton County, the flow is unrated, 86.40% above mean at 694 cfs and 6.33 ft deep (flood stage 18 ft) (update 02/02/23)
• Alcovy River drains an area of 244 sq miles in Newton and Gwinnett Counties. The flow
• at New Hope Rd near Grayson in Gwinnett County is 91.15% above mean at 49.0 cfs and 2.83 ft deep (floods at 9ft) 14.0°C and 85 µS/cm;
• above Covington in Newton County the flow is normal, 87.64% above mean at 304 cfs and 4.72 ft deep (flood stage is 12 ft) 12.4 C and 4.72 µS/cm;
• below Covington in Newton County is 85.2% above mean at 425 cfs and 3.55 ft deep (floods at 11 ft) (update 02/16/23)
• Little Ocmulgee River drains an area of 316 sq miles in Telfair County. The flow
• at GA149 at Scotland in Telfair County is unrated: 141.6% above mean at 1030 cfs and 9.03 ft deep (flood stage is 12 ft) (02/16/23)
• Ocmulgee River drains a combined area of 5180 sq miles in central Georgia. The flow
• near Jackson in Butts County is normal, 103.54% above the mean, 2650 cfs and 5.50 ft deep(flood stage 19 ft);
• at Macon in Bibb County is normal: 48 % above mean at 3710 cfs and 11.54 ft deep (flood stage 18 ft);
• at US341 at Hawkinsville in Pulaski County is above normal: 130.45% above mean at 9150 cfs and 13.01 ft deep (flood stage 20 ft);
• at Abbeville in Wilcox County is normal 100.63% above mean at 9920 cfs and 10.85 ft deep (flood stage 12 ft);
• at Lumber City in Jeff Davis County is above normal: 142.54% above mean at 135000 cfs and 11.70 ft deep (flood stage 15 ft) (updated 02/16/23 )

Drinking Water Advisories (0)

Impaired Water Body EPA 303d List (278)

• 278 water bodies or sections of water bodies, including rivers, creeks, streams, lakes and reservoirs not meeting desired use or having measured contaminant above threshold levels are listed on Georgia’s IWB 303d list for 2020. See this site for the detailed list under the Atlantic Central Tab, for Ocmulgee River Watershed.

Hazardous Algae Blooms (HABs) Beach Alerts (0)

Spills (0)

• No spill records found for the search period Feb 13^th – March 13^th 2023 

4c Altamaha River Watershed

The combined flows of the Oconee River system and the Ocmulgee River system form the Altamaha, “the largest free flowing river on the East coast”, according to the Georgia River Network.

• Altamaha River drains a combined area of 14000 square miles in central Georgia. The flow
• at US221 near Charlotteville in Montgomery County is unrated, 133.41% above mean at 31700 cfs and 14.36 ft deep (flood stage 13 ft);
• near Baxley in Appling County flow is above normal, 150.83% above mean at 33800 cfs and 15.18 ft deep (flood at 11 ft) 11.5 °C;
• at Doctortown in Wayne County flow is above normal 167.07% above mean at 41500 cfs and 12.07 ft deep (floods at 12 ft);
• near Everett City in Glynn County flow is unrated 12.68 ft deep (floods at 13 ft) (updated 02/16/23)
• Ohoopee River drains an area of 1110 sq miles in Emanuel and Tatnall Counties. The flow
• at GA 297 near Swainsboro in Emanuel County is 159.61% above mean at 2490 cfs and 14.95 ft deep (flood stage 18 ft);
• near Reidsville is flowing above normal, 231.08% above mean at 5280 cfs and 14.23 ft deep (flood stage is reached at 10 ft) (updated 02/16/23)

Drinking Water Advisories (0)

Impaired Water Body EPA 303d List (71)

• 71 water bodies or sections of water bodies, including rivers, creeks, streams, lakes and reservoirs not meeting desired use or having measured contaminant above threshold levels are listed on Georgia’s IWB 303d list for 2020. See this site for the detailed list under the Atlantic Central Tab, for Altamaha River Watershed.

Hazardous Algae Blooms (HABs) Beach Alerts (0)

Spills (0)

• No spill records found for the search period Feb 13^th – March 13^th 2023 

4d Satilla River Watershed

The Satilla River forms in Ben Hill County, flows south 200 miles to the Atlantic Ocean.

• Little Satilla River drains an area of 659 sq miles in Pierce County. The flow near Offerman is much above normal: 341.21% above mean at 3430 cfs and 10.91ft deep (flood stage is 9ft) (02/16/23)
• Satilla River drains an area of 3240 sq miles in south central Georgia to the Atlantic. The flow
• at GA 158 near Waycross in Ware County is, 446.66% above mean flow at 5630 cfs and 15.65 ft deep (flood stage is reached at 14 ft);
• at Waycross is much above normal at 437.97% above mean at 9430 cfs and 17.23 ft deep (floods at 16 ft)
• minor flooding ongoing since Feb 15 at Atkinson in Brantley County, flow is much above normal: 16200 cfs and 16.5 ft deep (flood stage 13 ft); 
• at Woodbine in Camden County is tidal, currently flowing at 27300 cfs, and 0.02 ft deep (flood stage is 4.21 ft) (update 02/16/23)

Drinking Water Advisories (0)

Impaired Water Body EPA 303d List (121)

• 121 water bodies or sections of water bodies, including rivers, creeks, streams, lakes and reservoirs not meeting desired use or having measured contaminant above threshold levels are listed on Georgia’s IWB 303d list for 2020. See this site for the detailed list under the Atlantic Central tab, for Satilla Watershed.

Hazardous Algae Blooms (HABs) Beach Alerts (0)

Spills (0)

• No spill records found for the search period Feb 13^th – March 13^th 2023 

4e St. Marys River Watershed

St. Marys is a blackwater river originating in the Okefenokee Wilderness area, southcentral Georgia.  The river flows 130 miles and empties into Cumberland Sound in the Atlantic.

• North Prong St Marys River drains an area of 160 sq miles in Baker County. The flow at Montiac in Bakers County is normal: 42.24% above mean at 85.5 cfs and 6.71 ft deep (flood stage is 12 ft);(update 02/16/23)
• Marys River drains an area of 1480 sq miles in south central Georgia, including Baker, Charlton, and Camden Counties. The flow
• near MacClenny in Florida is normal: 29.47% above mean at 221 cfs and 4.20 ft deep (flood stage is 12 ft);
• at Ferry Landing near Folkston in Charlton County is 1.41 ft deep (flood stage is 7ft); the flow at I-95 near Kingsland in Camden County is tidal, flowing backwards at 23500 cfs and -0.32 ft deep (flood stage is 3.47 ft) (update 02/16/23)

Drinking Water Advisories (0)

Impaired Water Body EPA 303d List (14)

• 14 water bodies or sections of water bodies, including rivers, creeks, streams, lakes and reservoirs not meeting desired use or having measured contaminant above threshold levels are listed on Georgia’s IWB 303d list for 2020. See this site for the detailed list under the Atlantic Central tab, for St. Marys River Watershed.

Hazardous Algae Blooms (HABs) Beach Alerts (0)

Spills (0)

• No spill records found for the search period Feb 13^th – March 13^th 2023 

Table updated Mar 15 at 15:30 EDT

Atlantic East

5a Savannah River Watershed

The Savannah River originates in South Carolina, formed with the combined flows of the Tugaloo, itself formed by the joining of Chattooga and Tallulah Rivers, and the Seneca River.  The Savannah flows through east Georgia to its outlet at the Atlantic Ocean, taking run-off from an area of 5800 square miles in Eastern Georgia.

• Chattooga River drains an area of 47 sq miles in Rabun County. The flow at Burrells Ford near Pine Mountain is, 56.39% above mean at 143 cfs and 1.26 ft deep, 0.00 ºC (flood stage is 7 ft) (update 02/16/23)
• Tallulah River drains an area of 184 sq miles in Rabun County. The flow near Clayton is normal 53.83% above mean at 169 cfs and 2.53 ft deep (flood stage is 20ft);
• at Terrora Powerhouse at Tallulah Falls the flow is unrated 50.8% above mean at 41.6 cfs and 5.17 ft deep;
• above Powerhouse near Tallulah Falls flow is, 50.86% above mean at 41.6 cfs and 5.17 ft deep (flood stage is 30 ft) (update 02/16/23)
• Broad River drains an area of 1420 sq feet in Elbert and Madison Counties. The flow above Carlton in Madison County is normal, 76.76% above mean at 1180 cfs and 4.17 ft deep (flood stage is 15 ft); the flow near Bell in Elbert County is normal, 50.86% above mean at 41.6cfs and 5.17 ft deep (flood stage is 21 ft) 02/16/23
• Savannah River drains an area of 9850 sq miles from Columbia County to Effingham County. The flow:

- near Evans in Columbia County is 17.32 ft deep;

- at Jefferson Davis Bridge near Augusta in Richmond County 16.93 ft deep;

- at Augusta is above normal, 147.93% above mean at 16700 cfs and 108.9 ft deep (flood stage is 117.5 ft);

- near Waynesboro in Burke County is 211.5% above mean at 17800 cfs and 18.15 ft deep;

- at Burtons Ferry near Millhaven in Screven County is above normal, 156.5% above mean at 21500 cfs and 15.68 ft deep (flood stage 15 ft);

- at Cylo in Effingham County flow is above normal, 135.97% above mean at 21300 cfs and 13.75 ft deep (flood stage 11 ft);

- above Hardeeville SC 11.8 ft deep;

- near Port Wentworth in Effingham County is 6110 cfs and 2.02 ft deep;

- at USACE Dock in Savannah is 44900 cfs and -2.58 ft deep, temp 10.5°C. (update 02/16/23)

Drinking Water Advisories (0)

Impaired Water Body EPA 303d List (302)

• 302 water bodies or sections of water bodies, including rivers, creeks, streams, lakes and reservoirs not meeting desired use or having measured contaminant above threshold levels are listed on Georgia’s IWB 303d list for 2020. See this site for the detailed list under the Atlantic East tab, for Savannah River Watershed.

Hazardous Algae Blooms (HABs) Beach Alerts (0)

Spills (1)

• March 6 – Caller reports a development company is causing run off onto an access road the resident uses to access her driveway in Augusta – Richmond – the roadway is always saturated – occasionally smells like sewage and has noticed a sheen – File closed March 6

5b Ogeechee River Watershed

The Ogeechee is a free flowing blackwater river draining an area of 5540 sq miles entirely inside the state of Georgia.  The North and South Fork Ogeechee Rivers (not monitored) come together to form the Ogeechee, which flows 245 miles and empties in the Atlantic. 

• Black Creek drains an area of 232 sq miles of Bryan County. The flow near Blichton is above normal: 233.97% above mean at 872 cfs and 8.48 ft deep (flood stage is 18 ft) (update 02/16/23)
• Ogeechee River drains a combined area of 5540 square miles in Jefferson, Screven, and Counties. The flow
• at GA 88 near Grange in Jefferson County is: 147.42% above mean at 1030 cfs and 13.51 ft deep (flood stage is 18 ft);
• at Midville in Burke County is: 200.60% above mean at 3710 cfs and 6 ft deep (flood stage is 6 ft);
• near Rocky Ford Rd in Rocky Ford, in Screven County is normal: 229.13% above mean at 6640 cfs and 10.55 ft deep(flood stage is 13 ft);
• at GA 24 near Oliver in County is flowing normal, 164.55% above mean at 6720 cfs and 14.09 ft deep;
• near Eden is above normal flow: 142.72% above mean at 5640 cfs and 11.35 ft deep (flood stage is 11 ft);
• at GA204 near Ellabell the flow is unrated: 168.85% above mean at 7240 cfs and 10.83 ft deep (flood stage not given);
• at US17 near Richmond Hill tidal outlet in Bryan County, flow is 6500 cfs at 3.30 ft deep. (update 02/16/23)

Drinking Water Advisories (0)

Impaired Water Body EPA 303d List (116)

• 116 water bodies or sections of water bodies, including rivers, creeks, streams, lakes and reservoirs not meeting desired use or having measured contaminant above threshold levels are listed on Georgia’s IWB 303d list for 2020. See this site for the detailed list under the Atlantic East tab, for Ogeechee River Watershed.

Hazardous Algae Blooms (HABs) Beach Alerts (0)

Spills (0)

• No spill records found for the search period Feb 13^th – March 13^th 2023