ID:

308

Date:

2008-04-30

Headline:

$138 mistake led to release of 22 billion gallons from Lake Lanier

Reporter's name:

Jeremy Redmon

Delay/denial:

No

Lawsuit:

No

Fees:

No

Media outlet:

Atlanta Journal Constitution

City:

Atlanta, GA

Summary:

One year before a severe drought overwhelmed the southeast region of the U.S., and Georgia in particular, the US Army Corps of Engineers accidentally drained almost 22 billion gallons of water from nearby Lake Lanier. The Atlanta Journal Constitution filed a federal FOIA request for the Corps’ 191-page report detailing the mistake, due to miscommunication over replaced parts and inaccurately read gauges.

Notes:

The Corps' error is detailed in a 191-page investigative report. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution formally requested the report on Nov. 26 under the federal Freedom of Information Act. More than four months passed before the Corps provided a heavily redacted copy. The Corps eliminated from the report all the names of those officials responsible for the mistake, several pages of findings, and descriptions of exhibits.

Keywords:

Water, US Army, Corps, engineer, southeast, Atlanta, Georgia, drought, FOIA, mistake, funds

URL:

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/04/19/pulley_0420.html

Agencies:

USACE

States:

GA

Districts:

GA-05
GA-07
GA-09

Categories:

agriculture
drinking water
environment
military
public health