WTGA describes the direction/path of streamflows in each watershed, listing monitoring stations in order from headwaters to outlet, including a flow rating (where available), flow volume in cubic feet per second (CFS), the depth of flow in feet and inches, the water temperature and specific conductance (where this information is available). WTGA logs a snapshot of the stream flows through the state’s rivers and tributaries weekly, as per USGS Waterwatch current streamflow monitoring stations.

Rivers, and creeks flowing much above normal or high (in the top 10% of flow volume recorded for that system) are shown in boldface;

flows that have breached action stage appear in red,

flows inflood stage appear in boldface red type.

Flow volume can change rapidly during snowmelt and rain events. All readings are posted as they appear as of our monthly update.

During melting and rain events, check your local upstream station flow levels at the USGS WaterWatch Current Streamflow site or sign up for high flow alerts. Streamflow data is subject to review as sensors at the monitoring stations do malfunction from time to time. See USGS Provisional Data Statement at the end of this report for more information.

To Groundwater Monitor

USGS Groundwater Watch, periodic measurements of depth to water at selected test well sites in each watershed. WTGA shows the trend in groundwater level from one periodic measurement to the next, we check for new USGS measurements and update here weekly.

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

Hazardous algae blooms are reported here as they are 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.

◆ New confirmed HABs will be listed with the diamond bullet 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).

Archived reports for the water body are mentioned in small print.

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 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 lists oil, diesel fuel and other hazardous materials spills as recorded in the Complaint Tracking System Public Portal. Complaints of spills, along with reports/notes from the assigned inspector or responding agent are listed in the watershed area where they occur.

Reporting from the latest records uploaded to the Georgia EPD Public Complaints portal. Oil, diesel, gas, and 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.

◆ New spills over 40 gallons are listed weekly in the watershed in which they occur with the diamond bullet, 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 reported previously and current within 30 days of the report are reported with a dash bullet.
Spills over 100 gal, very toxic chemical spills and spills that impact water, the highlighted spills are flagged and 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.

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 monitored near New England is above normal flow, 88.27% above the mean, 55.4 cfs and 3.65 ft deep. 08/05/22
Chattanooga Creek drains an area of 6 sq miles of Walker County. The flow is monitored at Flintstone: 239.94% above mean, 34.6 cfs and 3.42 ft deep as of 08/05/22
West Chickamauga Creek drains an area of 148 sq miles in Catoosa County. The flow near Lakeview: 188.08% above mean, 142 cfs and 1.97 ft deep as of 08/05/22
South Chickamauga Creek drains an area of 169 sq miles in Catoosa County. The flow near Ringgold: 122.08% above mean, 115 cfs and 4.35 ft deep as of 08/05/22

Groundwater Monitor

Walker County Groundwater station ID#0001 water level is trending sharply downward, depth to water measured at three feet lower than July 10 reading, 15.2 ft below surface as of August 3, 2022. (updated here Aug 5, 2022)

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, and assessment of lake health. WTGA has inquired for bacteria testing and algae blooms. No known alerts as of this report.

Spills (0 new)

-no new spills reported during the period July 25 – Aug 4, 2022

1b Coosa River Watershed

The Coosa River is a collection of several tributary rivers gathered from northwest Georgia. At the beginning 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. The flow at Tilton is above normal, 129.85% above mean, 537 cfs and 3.56 ft deep, as of 08/05/22
Mill Creek drains an area of 40 sq miles in Whitfield County. The flow at Dalton is normal, 103.91% above the mean, 26.3 cfs and 4.28 ft deep, as of 08/05/22
Coahulla Creek drains an area of 176 sq miles in Whitfield County. The flow near Dalton is 149.17% above mean, 109 cfs and 7.96 ft deep, as of 08/05/22
Coosawattee River drains an area of 831 sq miles in Gordon and Murray Counties. The flow at Pine Chapel is normal 76.03% above the mean, 675 cfs and 4.80 ft deep as of 08/05/22
Talking Rock Creek drains an area of 119 sq miles. The flow near Hinton is normal, 59.07% above mean at 47.4 cfs, 1.07 ft deep as of 08/05/22
Holly Creek drains an area of 1602 sq miles in Gordon County. The flow near Chatsworth is normal, 49.27% above mean at 16.2 cfs and 1.09 ft deep. The water temp is 25.0C, as of 08/05/22
Fausett Creek drains an area of 9.99 sq miles in Gilmer County. The flow near Talking Rock is normal, 91.35% above the mean, 8.45 cfs and 1.52 ft deep as of 08/05/22
Oostanaula River drains an area of 2115 sq miles in Gordon and Floyd Counties. The flow at Resaca is normal, 110.92% above the mean, 1470 cfs and 3.73 ft deep, as of 08/05/22
Etowah River drains an area of 1634 sq miles in Dawson, Bartow and Cherokee Counties.
The flow at GA 136 near Landrum is 101.08% above mean at 152 cfs and 2.11 ft deep (flood stage is 14 ft), 22.8°and 37µS/cm;
at GA9 near Dawsonville is 96.88% above mean at 178 cfs and 4.31 ft deep (flood stage is 13 ft) 23.0°and 28 µS/cm ;
at Kelly Bridge near Matt is 69.20% above mean at 314 cfs and 1.67 ft deep (flood stage is 19 ft); downstream of I-575 at Canton in Cherokee County is 80.13% above mean at 505 cfs ad 3.01 ft deep (flood stage is 17 ft);
at Canton is normal, 59.90% above mean at 521 cfs and 2.04 ft deep (flood stage is 16 ft) 25.6 C;
at Allatoona Dam above Cartersville in Bartow County is below normal, 20.97% above mean at 330 cfs and 1.25 ft deep (flood at 9ft) 22.8°C;
at Allatoona Dam 690.10 ft deep; at GA61 near Cartersville is 28.75% above mean at 530 cfs and 5.20 ft deep (flood stage is 18 ft);
near Kingston is normal, 92.37% above mean at 1760 cfs and 5.20 ft deep (floods at 20 ft) as of 08/05/22
Two Run Creek drains an area of 33.1 sq miles in Bartow County. The flow near Kingston is normal, 68.32% above the mean, 11.3 cfs and 1.19 ft deep. (update 08/05/22)
Oothcalooga River drains an area of 62.6 sq miles in Gordon County. The flow at GA 53 spur near Calhoun is 144.01% above mean, and 50.1 cfs and 7.23 ft deep. (update 08/05/22)
Coosa River drains an area of 4040 sq miles in Floyd County. The flow near Rome is above normal, 148.37% above mean, 5370 cfs and 12.89 ft deep (flood stage is 24 ft). The water temp is 26.9°C. (update 08/05/22)
Chattooga River (of the northwest) drains an area of 4040 sq miles of northwest Georgia. The flow at Summerville is normal, 85.92% above mean at 121 cfs and 2.40 ft deep (flood stage is 14 ft). (update 08/05/22)

Groundwater Monitor

Gordon County Groundwater station ID#1601 water level is trending downwards, depth to water measured at 23.9 ft below surface as of Aug 4^th , 2022. (updated here August 5, 2022)

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 new)

No spills reported as of Jul 15, 2022

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 138.72% above mean at 152 cfs and 1.83 ft deep as of 08/05/22
Little Tallapoosa drains an area of 245 sq miles of Carroll County. The flow at GA100 near Bowden is 77.74% above mean at 85.4 cfs 2.82 ft deep; at Carrollton is normal, 39.37% above mean at 29.5 cfs and 2.47 ft deep as of 08/05/22
Cedar Creek drains an area of 65.3 sq miles of Polk County. The flow at Cedar Town is normal, 75.34% above mean at 52.5 cfs and 0.79 ft deep as of 08/05/22
Snake Creek drains an area of 35.5 sq miles of Carroll County. The flow near Whitesburg is normal, 45.28% above mean at 12.8 cfs and 1.77 ft deep as of 08/05/22
Snake Creek Reservoir drains an area of 34 sq miles in Carroll County. The flow is 77.76% above mean at 12.8 cfs and 3.33 ft deep. The water temp is 27.1°C as of 08/05/22
Dog River drains an area of 66 sq miles of Douglas County. The flow at GA 5 near Fairplay 75.23% above mean at 28.7 cfs and 3.37 ft deep. The water temp is 23.9°C. 08/05/22

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)

No beach alerts found for this week

Spills (0 new)

No spills reported from July 25 – Aug 4, 2022

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, 76.09% above mean at 59.8 cfs and 0.64 ft deep, 20.8°C.;
at Leaf flow is normal, 72.52% above mean at 210 cfs and 1.77 ft deep;
at GA100 at Cornelia is normal, 75.19% above mean at 403 cfs and 0.83 ft deep;
near Fairburn is normal, 96.52% above mean at 2560 cfs and 1.92 ft deep all as of 08/05/22
Powder Springs Creek drains an area of 23 sq miles of Cobb County. The flow near Powder Springs is 74.14% above mean at 6.25 cfs and 1.51 ft deep as of 08/05/22
Noses Creek drains an area of 44.5 sq miles of Cobb County. The flow at Powder Road is 39.52% above mean at 7.56 cfs and 1.87 ft deep as of 08/05/22
Sweetwater Creek drains an area of 13.5 sq miles of Cobb County. The flow at Powder Springs is 126.25% above mean at 107 cfs and 5.96 ft deep as of 08/05/22
Nickajack Creek drains an area of 31 sq miles in Cobb County. The flow near Mableton is 116.17% above mean at 28.6 cfs and 1.84 ft deep as of 08/05/22
Utoy Creek drains an area of 33 sq miles in Fulton County. The flow is unrated, 215.34% above mean at 43.8 cfs and 3.27 ft deep. The water temp is 24.9°C as of 08/05/22
Nancy Creek drains an area of 26.6 sq miles in County. The flow at Atlanta is 78.03% above mean at 27.7 cfs and 0.89 ft deep. The water temp is 27.7°C as of 08/05/22

Groundwater Monitor

Cobb County Groundwater station ID#2901 water level is trending upwards, depth to water measured at 5.37 ft below surface as of June 9^th , 2022.
Cobb County Groundwater station ID#2902 depth to water measured at 22.16 ft below surface as of August 4^th , 2022.
(updated here August 5, 2022)

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)

Georgia Power manages freshwater lakes formed by hydro dams. No beach alerts or toxin alerts reported this week.

Spills (0 new)

July 11, 4 pm, caller reported running over debris on the westbound lane of State Route 285 at Smyrna, puncturing a fuel tank, releasing an unknown amount of diesel fuel to the roadway surface. Investigator spoke with Georgia DOT, the response crew had contained the spill, estimated at 50 to 60 gallons using granular sorbent. No impact to state waterways. (File#100700 closed July 16, 2022)

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, 33.93% above mean at 60.9 cfs and 2.53 ft deep as of 08/05/22
below Big Branch, Pike County flow is 25.42% above mean at 155 cfs and 4.79 ft deep as of 08/05/22
at Thomaston, Upson County, flow is below normal, 23.50% above mean at 268 cfs and 3.06 ft deep as of 08/05/22
near Carsonville in Upson County, flow is below normal, 34.32% above mean, 481 cfs and 2.01 ft deep as of 08/05/22
at GA 26 near Montezuma, Macon County, the flow is normal, 54.10% above mean at 1220 cfs and 1.70 ft deep as of 08/05/22
at GA 32 near Oakfield in Worth County the flow is normal, 50.22% above mean at 1230 cfs and 3.06 ft deep as of 08/05/22
at Albany, Dougherty County, the flow is normal 47.22% above mean at 1910 cfs and 2.90 ft deep as of 08/05/22
at Newton in Baker County, the flow is normal, 49.12% above mean at 2060 cfs and 4.50 ft deep as of 08/05/22
at Riverview Plantation near Hopeful in Mitchell County, the flow is 75.41% above mean at 3000 cfs and 4.77 ft deep as of 08/05/22
at Bainbridge, Decatur County the flow is below normal, 47.08% above mean at 2780 cfs and 19.53 ft deep (flood stage 22ft). The water temp is 28.2°C as of 08/05/22

Groundwater Monitor

Baker County Groundwater station ID#5502 water level is trending downward, seven feet lower than May measurement at 39.15 ft below surface as of July 20, 2022. (Updated here August 5/22)

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 new)

No reported spills for the period July 25 – August 4.

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 24.87% above mean at 29.8 cfs and 2.59 ft deep (floods at 13 ft);
near Thomasville in Thomas County is normal, 28.61% above mean flow at 114 cfs and 3.55 ft deep (floods at 15 ft);
near Concord, at the Georgia/Florida border in Leon County is 65.10% above mean at 371 cfs and 27.06 feet deep (flood stage is 36 ft). (updated 08/05/22)

Groundwater Monitor

Thomas County Groundwater station ID#4801 water level is trending upwards, gaining two feet of water level since March, depth to water 191.78 ft as of the latest measurement July 13, 2022. (updated here Aug 5/22.)

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 (0 new)

No spills reported from July 25 – Aug 4, 2022.

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 7.42 feet;

- at US 441 at Fargo in Clinch County the flow is normal, 50.49% above mean at 459 cfs and 5.02 ft deep. The channel floods at 13 ft in this location. (update 08/05/22)

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 normal, at 22.61% above mean at 10.7 cfs, and 0.11 ft deep;
near Adel in Cook County is normal, 9.53% above the mean, 25.9 cfs and 2.93 ft deep (flood stage is 15.9 ft);
near Hahira in Lowndes is flowing 16.88% above the mean at 73 cfs and 5.05 ft deep. Flooding occurs at 15.2 ft at this section of the river. (Update 08/05/22)
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 8.25% above mean at 3.44 cfs and 1.51 ft deep (flood stage is 9.9 ft);
near Alapaha is normal, 15% above meat at 36.5 cfs and 2.75 ft deep (flooding occurs at 15.4 ft);
at Statenville in Echols County is normal, 53.12% above mean at 364 cfs and 3.09 ft deep. Flood stage is 23.9 ft at this location. (Update 08/05/22)
Withlacoochee River drains an area of 1480 sq miles. The flow at
Skipper Bridge Rd near Bemiss in Lowndes County is normal, 10.04% above mean at 45.9 cfs and 2.36 feet deep (flood stage is 14.7 ft);
near Valdosta is 3.68 ft deep; at Quitman flow is normal, 3.79% above mean at 510 cfs and 4.26 ft deep (flood stage at 20.5 ft) 28°C and 111 µS/cm.;
near Pinetta, Florida is normal, 44.04% above mean at 540 cfs and 7.41 ft deep, (flood stage 26.5 ft) 27.7°C and 243 µS/cm. 08/05/22

Groundwater Monitor

Lowndes County Groundwater station ID#5301 water level is trending upwards, level is up nearly five feet since the last measurement. Depth to water is 124.67 ft below surface as of Aug 3^th, 2022. (updated here Aug 5, 2022)

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 new)

No spills reported for the period of July 25 – Aug 4, 2022.

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, 76.54% above mean at 52.3 cfs and 2.05 ft deep (flood stage is 15 ft);
at Athens flow is normal, 95.84% above mean at 182 cfs and 4.67 ft deep (floods at 19 ft) 08/05/22
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, 89.42% above mean at 562 cfs and 3.79 ft deep (floods at 13 ft);

- at Milledgeville in Baldwin County shows normal flow, 59.42% above mean at 731 cfs and 7.71ft deep (flood stage 30 ft);

- at Avant Mine near Oconee in Washington County is 312.55% above mean at 3460 cfs and 7.37 ft deep (floods at 18 ft);

- near Oconee in Wilkinson County is, 184.96% above mean at 2590 cfs and 5.75 ft deep (flood stage 17 ft);

- at Dublin in Laurens County flow is normal, 50.47% above mean at 1040 cfs and 2.31 ft deep (floods at 21 ft);

- near Mt. Vernon in Wheeler County the flow is normal, 62.23% above mean at 1410 cfs and 2.38 ft deep (floods at 16 ft)

(updated 08/05/22)

Groundwater Monitor

Green County Groundwater station ID#0201 water level is trending downwards, depth to water measured at 4.61 ft below surface as of August 4^th, 2022. (updated here Aug 5, 2022)

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.

Hazardous Algae Blooms (HABs) Beach Alerts (0)

No new blooms or toxin alerts posted

Spills (0 new)

July 7, 12:30 pm 800 block of City Pond Rd in the Barrow County seat, Winder, reported an ongoing sewage spill coming from a new subdivision manhole. Following up with GDNR. File #100670 closed Jul 11, 2022.
July 14, 6pm I-16E pass state route 31 near Dublin in Laurens County, 150 gallons of diesel fuel spilled on the shoulder and right lane from a stalled tractor trailer unit. The Georgia Department of Transportation confirms that non-emergency HAZMAT unit has the spill contained, oil dry/sorbent pads used and waste to be contained for disposal. No soil or waterways impacted. File closed July 16. File # 100750
Response from Georgia EPD received July 21, 2022:

“The spill in Barrow County was a wastewater spill from a bolt hole on the closed lid of one manhole. A line plug was downstream and was preventing wastewater from flowing.

On July 8^th, Barrow County and the City of Winder pumped the manhole with a vacuum truck. The downstream plug was then removed, and wastewater flowed freely downstream to the treatment plant. Barrow Utilities employees spread lime around the manhole. This was a dry land spill as it did not reach state waters.”

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 2.45 ft deep (flood stage 17 ft) 23.7°C and 659 µS/cm;
at Forrest Park Rd in Atlanta, flow is 102.15% above mean at 22.8 cfs and 3.23 ft deep (flood stage 15 ft) 25.1 °C and 119 µS/cm;
at Flakes Mill Rd near Atlanta in Dekalb County is 165.58% above mean at 117 cfs and 2.91 ft deep (flood here at 13 ft) 25.1°C and 112µS/cm;
at Klondike Rd near Lithonia in Dekalb County is normal, 113.41% above mean at 199 cfs and 5.36 ft deep (flood stage is 12 ft);
at GA81 at Snapping Shoals in Newton County the flow is 70.45% above mean at 239 cfs and 6.88 ft deep (flood stage is 12 ft). (Updated 08/05/22
Yellow River drains an area of sq miles in Dekalb and Counties. The flow
at Pleasant Hill Rd near Lithonia in Dekalb County is 114.37% above mean at 202 cfs and 1.93 ft deep (floods at 13 ft);
at Milstead in Rockdale County is normal, 85.71% above the mean, 27.9 cfs and 0.55 ft deep (floods at 13ft);
at Rocky Plains Rd near Rocky Plains in Newton County, the flow is normal, 113.70% above mean at 451 cfs and 5.64 ft deep (flood stage 18 ft) (update 08/05/22)
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 67.02% above mean at 16.4 cfs and 2.33 ft deep (floods at 9ft) 23.6 °C and 82µS/cm;
above Covington in Newton County the flow is normal, 99.27% above mean at 140 cfs and 3.12 ft deep (flood stage is 12 ft) 24.8°C and 68 µS/cm;
below Covington in Newton County is 73.29% above mean at 128 cfs and 2.13 ft deep (floods at 11 ft) (update 08/05/22)
Little Ocmulgee River drains an area of 316 sq miles in Telfair County. The flow
at GA149 at Scotland in Telfair County is unrated: 1.27% above mean at 1.04 cfs and 0.61 ft deep (flood stage is 12 ft) (08/05/22)
Ocmulgee River drains a combined area of 5180 sq miles in central Georgia. The flow
near Jackson in Butts County is normal, 52.59% above the mean, 534 cfs and 4.19 ft deep(flood stage 19 ft);
at Macon in Bibb County is normal: 34 % above mean at 1320 cfs and 7.33 ft deep (flood stage 18 ft);
at US341 at Hawkinsville in Pulaski County is normal: 116.09% above mean at 2270 cfs and 3.48 ft deep (flood stage 20 ft);
at Abbeville in Wilcox County is normal: 117.70% above mean at 2360 cfs and 3.94 ft deep (flood stage 12 ft);
at Lumber City in Jeff Davis County is normal: 69.56% above mean at 2210 cfs and 2.17 ft deep (flood stage 15 ft) (updated 08/05/22)

Groundwater Monitor

DeKalb County Groundwater station ID#4001 water level is trending upwards, depth to water measured at 7.97 ft below surface as of Aug 4^th, 2022. (updated here Aug 5, 2022)

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)

No posted alerts this week

Spills (0 new)

July 13, 10 am estimated 10,660 gallons of sewage overflowed from a manhole in Dunwoody, Dekalb County. Report indicates that some of the sewage reached Perimeter Creek. No fish kill noted. Dekalb County reports a grease blockage caused the overflow. The spill has been contained, the blockage has been cleared and clean-up is underway with Dekalb County Watershed.

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 normal, 86.80% above mean at 3550 cfs and 2.18 ft deep (flood stage 13 ft);
near Baxley in Appling County flow is normal, 69.17% above mean at 4030 cfs and 3.66 ft deep (flood at 11 ft) 28.4 °C;
at Doctortown in Wayne County flow is normal, 64.54% above mean at 4830 cfs and 5.97 ft deep (floods at 12 ft);
near Everett City in Glynn County flow is normal, 101.76% above mean at 4040 cfs and 6.04 ft deep (floods at 13 ft) (updated 08/05/22)
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 2.42% above mean at 3.35 cfs and 7.09 ft deep (flood stage 18 ft);
near Reidsville is flowing below normal, 11.57% above mean at 69.9 cfs and 1.78 ft deep (flood stage is reached at 10 ft) (updated 08/05/22)

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)

No alerts posted

Spills (0 new)

July 9, 5pm Vidalia, Toombs County; reporting sewage overflow from a manhole, 50 gallons a minute. No fish kill reported. File transferred to Watershed Protection Division for follow up. File #100692, closed July 18, 2022. WTGA has requested more information from WPD.
Response from Georgia EPD received by email on July 21, 2022:

“Estimated volume was 5250 gallons, overflow was reported to last approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. Because this was not a major spill (>10,000 gallons), the facility is not required to perform sampling for 12 months.”

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 normal: 8.67% above mean at 21.3 cfs and 3.29 ft deep (flood stage is 9ft) (07/13/22)
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, 11.11% above mean flow at 28.6 cfs and 3.17 ft deep (flood stage is reached at 14 ft);
at Waycross is normal at 12.56% above mean at 88.6 cfs and 5.44 ft deep (floods at 16 ft)
at Atkinson in Brantley County, flow is normal: 27.59 % above mean at 458 cfs and 5.20 ft deep (flood stage 13 ft); US17
at Woodbine in Camden County is tidal, currently flowing at 20700cfs, and –1.77 ft deep (flood stage is 4.21 ft) (update 08/05/22)

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 new)

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 above normal: 49.27% above mean at 96.6 cfs and 6.75 ft deep (flood stage is 12 ft);(update 08/05/22)
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: 30.98% above mean at 265 cfs and 3.95 ft deep (flood stage is 12 ft);
at Ferry Landing near Folkston in Charlton County is 1.78 ft deep (flood stage is 7ft); the flow at I-95 near Kingsland in Camden County is tidal, flowing backwards at 23700 cfs and -1.63 ft deep (flood stage is 3.47 ft) (update 08/05/22)

Groundwater Monitor

Charlton County Groundwater station ID#3801 water level is trending downwards, depth to water measured at three and a half feet deeper than the May measurement: 71.15 ft below surface as of Aug 4, 2022. (updated here Aug 5, 2022)

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 new)

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, 54.31% above mean at 74.5 cfs and 0.96 ft deep, 21.2ºC (flood stage is 7 ft) (update 08/05/22)
Tallulah River drains an area of 184 sq miles in Rabun County. The flow near Clayton is normal 112.53% above mean at 211 cfs and 2.67 ft deep (flood stage is 20ft);
at Terrora Powerhouse at Tallulah Falls the flow is unrated 18.70% above mean at 2.06 cfs and 2.06 ft deep;
above Powerhouse near Tallulah Falls flow is, 88.96% above mean at 42.4 cfs and 5.18 ft deep (flood stage is 30 ft) (update 08/05/22)
Broad River drains an area of 1420 sq feet in Elbert and Madison Counties. The flow above Carlton in Madison County is normal, 57.57% above mean at 430 cfs and 2.18 ft deep (flood stage is 15 ft); the flow near Bell in Elbert County is normal, 58.07% above mean at 519 cfs and 4.25 ft deep (flood stage is 21 ft) 08/05/22
Savannah Riverdrains an area of 9850 sq miles from Columbia County to Effingham County. The flow:

- near Evans in Columbia County is 13.73 ft deep;

- at Jefferson Davis Bridge near Augusta in Richmond County 14.72 ft deep;

- at Augusta is normal, 105.93% above mean at 7710 cfs and 101.83ft deep (flood stage is 117.5 ft);

- near Waynesboro in Burke County is 109.33% above mean at 7950 cfs and 10.20 ft deep;

- at Burtons Ferry near Millhaven in Screven County is above normal, 107.56% above mean at 8180 cfs and 8.16 ft deep (flood stage 15 ft);

- at Cylo in Effingham County flow is normal, 91.05% above mean at 7870 cfs and 5.82 ft deep (flood stage 11 ft);

- above Hardeeville SC 5.59 ft deep;

- near Port Wentworth in Effingham County is 14200 cfs and -2.61 ftdeep;

- at USACE Dock in Savannah is 22800 cfs and -4.02 ft deep, temp 29.4°C. (update 08/05/22

Groundwater Monitor

Richmond County Groundwater station ID#2001 water level is trending upwards, depth to water measured at 44.27 ft below surface as of June 4, 2022. (updated here Aug 5, 2022)

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 (1)

Updated July 14, 2022 Beach Advisory Lifted at Tybee Island’s North Beach

The Chatham County Health Department has lifted the beach water advisory for North Beach at Gulick Street, which extends from the north jetty to Lovell Street on Tybee Island. Water samples show the bacteria levels are again below Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended limits.
July 12, 2022 Beach Water Advisory issued for North Beach at Gulick St, Tybee Island. Routine water quality tests showed a high level of enterococci bacteria, associated with increased risk of gastrointestinal illness in swimmers.

Spills (0 new)

No spills reported from July 25 to Aug 4, 2022.

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: 71.70% above mean at 67.4 cfs and 4.17 ft deep (flood stage is 18 ft) (update 05/29/22)
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: 90.26% above mean at 107 cfs and 8.07 ft deep (flood stage is 18 ft);
at Midville in Burke County is: 38.47% above mean at 157 cfs and 0.05 ft deep (flood stage is 6 ft);
near Rocky Ford Rd in Rocky Ford, in Screven County is normal: 26.84% above mean at 183 cfs and 2.66 ft deep(flood stage is 13 ft);
at GA 24 near Oliver in County is flowing normal, 32.28% above mean at 245 cfs and 5.36 ft deep;
near Eden is below normal flow: 17.31% above mean at 224 cfs and 2 ft deep (flood stage is 11 ft);
at GA204 near Ellabell the flow is normal: 28.73% above mean at 317 cfs and 3.26 ft deep (flood stage not given);
at US17 near Richmond Hill tidal outlet in Bryan County, flow is 9600 cfs at 0.58 ft deep. (update 08/05/22)

Groundwater Monitor

Bryan County Groundwater station ID#4301 water level is trending downwards, depth to water measured at 63.9 ft below surface as of Aug 4,2022, three and a half feet lower than the May measurement. (updated here Aug 5, 2022)

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 (3)

Permanent Beach Water Advisory: updated July 14, 2022 at King’s Ferry County Park – this inland beach area is off Highway 17 on the Ogeechee River at the Chatham/Bryan County line.
Permanent Beach Water Advisory: updated July 14, 2022 Clam Creek Beach on Jekyll Island – this area is on the back side of the island at the end of Clam Creek Road, high bacteria levels
Permanent Beach Water Advisory: updated July 14, 2022 Andrews Beach on Jekyll Island – this area is also on the back side of the island, around the St. Andrews Picnic area, testing above the EPA limits for bacteria. Avoid swimming and wading in this area.

Spills (0 new)

July 14, 1 pm caller reporting a spill of 500 gallons of gas due to operator error in overfilling an underground storage tank on Lewis St. in Metter, Candler County. (File #100744 recommended closed as duplicate, refers to File #100741 for actions taken. This file # does not display. Following up with Georgia DNR.
Response from Georgia EPD received July 21, 2022:

“Site is still under investigation, so the investigation report is not available for public view. No impacts to state waters were documented. EPD is working with the responsible party on a sampling and mitigation plan.”

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