The decision has been made to drain the lakes at Panola Mountain. There is to be a meeting tomorrow afternoon at Panola Mountain State Park in regards to this and even though I have to work tomorrow and will have to go straight there after a crazy day at work, I still hope to attend. If I can't make it, then I hope someone will read this post...
This is very important to me. There is a really lovely lake loop trail that skirts around the lake and a beautiful bridge/boardwalk that crosses over the water at one end. Why have a lake loop trail with no lake? More importantly, it saddens me to think of all the wildlife that would be affected by the loss of this habitat.
Alexander Lakes are lovely in every season and every time of day.. It is my hope that somehow they will be saved.
I wonder, will there be any person at the meeting who will beg them not to drain the lakes? If not, then it is my hope that someone in charge of this will read this post and realize how important the lakes are, not just for the beauty alone, but for all the creatures who make these lakes their home.
What are their reasons for draining the lake? Surely there must be another way to accomplish whatever task they feel is necessary.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that GDOT (Georgia Department of Transportation) is behind it. I still don't know if we are being told everything there is to know about it, but that could just be me.
DeleteWhy on Earth would they drain the lake? It's such a beautiful spot! I love your monadnocks that you have generously shared in all their moods and colors ~ and the flowers! Good luck tomorrow, Kay! We need to protect and preserve the special places in our world!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Louise! I hope they will be able to save one of the lakes. I just wrote another post about it.
DeleteI can only echo the previous comments - 'Why on Earth would they drain the lake?' Is it a danger to human lives? If not, I can't think of any economic or business reason that would outweigh the enjoyment the give people (myself included thanks to you!!!) and their importance to the .local wildlife.
ReplyDeleteOf course, if the dam has been listed as a possible danger, then that would be a reason. Still, I am thinking that the decision to drain the lakes had already been made by GDOT. That is what it sounded like from the meeting.
DeletePerhaps you could forwards the link to this post to the local authorities - I;m sure there will be plenty more comments that support you, below.
ReplyDeleteNo worries! There were lots of folks at that meeting, it was packed! YAY!
DeleteI hope you will attend the meeting! I know your voice would be very persuasive. Like the others, I cannot imagine why they want to drain the lakes. Mosquitoes? It's all I can think of. I love the bridge which you have blogged about before. It seems a very foolish thing to want to do.
ReplyDeleteYes, I did get to go but guess what? I didn't say anything, but I didn't have to, there were plenty there who asked everything I wanted to ask.
DeleteI am sure my very wise presence was very important to all there! HA!
This is very odd! Like everyone else who has commented before, I wonder what the reason for the draining is. Do they want to develop the land and build on it? Do the lakes provide breeding grounds for insects that are dangerous to humans? (Something like the anopheles fly comes to mind.)
ReplyDeleteActually, most people would agree on that there aren't enough fresh water bodies around on this planet, and we should make sure to keep the ones we have, instead of draining them!
I just did another post about this, Meike. I hope it makes some sense, another long day at work today!!
DeleteSo, I just read this. http://www.newtoncitizen.com/news/2015/apr/20/dnr-to-hold-public-meeting-tuesday-to-announce/
ReplyDeleteSurely they can repair the dam and keep the lakes which are such an asset to your area. I hope a lot of people will attend.
You would think that a dam could be repaired, wouldn't you?
DeleteIt has got to be about money. I know I probably sound cynical but it always is about committees and money in the end. Unless they are a danger to life and limb why spoil such a lovely area. I hope that sanity prevails in the end and the lakes are saved. x
ReplyDeleteI know, I think you are right. Still, it is my hope that one of the lakes will be saved!
DeleteBeautiful area. It would be a shame to lose it. Same thing happens here occasionally, altering the landscape "to improve it".
ReplyDeleteUsually here, it is because someone has lots of money and those with money have the power to do anything they want.
DeleteWhy, why, why? I wonder if it's an insurance issue. Hope they change their mind.
ReplyDeleteI hope so too!
DeleteWait, what???? Why on Earth would they do that. THIS I've got to hear. But how sad.
ReplyDeleteSad, and I am not convinced that is entirely necessary.
DeleteOne question -- is this a natural or man-made lake? We have lakes that were dug during the Great Depression as ways to put young men to work, and they are sadly in need of work, since they weren't there before. They need to be dredged or drained or have maintenance of some type. If this is one of those that was made the same way and at the same time, they may feel that draining it is the fastest and cheapest way to deal with the issues that are coming home to roost regarding man-made bodies of water.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad no matter the reason, and maybe they can be made to see that it would be worth investing more in dredging and restoration than in simply draining.
I think all the lakes in Georgia are man made. I hope they don't drain them all! Almost everything in America is like that...it is almost like we are in the pioneer/settler mentality...just stick something together, we're too busy chopping wood and hunting animals to think about proper construction!
DeleteOh no! I hope they change their minds or work out another way to protect the dam - this seems so drastic. x
ReplyDeleteI know, I hate the thought of losing a lake.
DeleteNot far from me they had a leaking dam (hydro-electric) and they had to lower the lake behind it in order to repare the leak. It took nearly a year, but they did it, but they didn't drain it completely.There was still a lake there. Look up Wanapum Dam in Washington State for relevant comparisons. It was and is a huge dam on the Columbia River. There was a lot of controversy over it but there was care taken for the wildlife (ast least upstream and downstream while the work lasted. Hope things turn out ok for your situation.
ReplyDeleteI looked it up. That is a MUCH bigger dam! This is a earthen dam. I just did a post about it. I am hopeful that we will get to keep at least one lake!
DeleteYou do not state the reason for this, and we are all on tenterhooks now.
ReplyDeleteJust did a post about it.
DeleteHope it makes sense, I'm tired!
Yes, it would be a shame to drain those lakes.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos.
Thanks, my husband takes these photos, and I think he does a great job!
DeleteManmade lakes are very controversial, putting them in or taking them out. If something has been there for a long time is so well established, one would wonder why? Is it for profit or commercial gain? Many things come down to money.
ReplyDeleteChristy
Lilbitbrit
Yes, I think you are right, it almost always comes down to money.
DeleteThanks for your comment, I think this is your first comment! Please visit me again, you have made my day!
I've read this post after I read your latest post....my goodness....I do so hope these beautiful lakes aren't drained.
ReplyDeleteAnd as you say...what will happen to the wild life...we must always consider our wild life...they don't have a voice...we humans do. We must use our voices correctly.
Thanks, Lee. You think the same way I do! I will keep posting about this as much as I can!
DeleteThat's such a beautiful area. I sure hope it can be saved.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kay. Me too.
Delete