Georgia Power Requests Temporary Variance for Non-Emergency Reservoir Drawdown

Strategic Insights -

Georgia Power Company, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensee of the Bartletts Ferry Project, has submitted a document to the FERC requesting a temporary variance of Article 401 for a non-emergency drawdown of Lake Harding, the Bartletts Ferry Project reservoir. The drawdown is scheduled to occur over a six-week period, with approximately four weeks at the low drawdown elevation. The plan for implementing the drawdown and resource evaluation is included in Attachment A of the document.

Key Takeaways:

  • Georgia Power plans to conduct a reservoir drawdown to elevation 513 feet plant datum (PD) to provide for homeowner dock and shoreline structure maintenance activities.
  • The typical operating range for Lake Harding is between elevations 518 feet PD and 521 feet PD.
  • The drawdown will occur over a six-week period, with approximately four weeks at the low drawdown elevation.
  • Georgia Power will begin ramping down at a rate of no greater than a half foot per day below elevation 518 beginning on Monday, October 27, 2025.
  • The consultation process with resource agencies (WRD, USFWS, and ADCNR) is included as Attachment B.
  • The resource agencies have concurred with the drawdown plan.
  • The drawdown is not an emergency drawdown, but rather a non-emergency drawdown scheduled in accordance with Article 401 of the Project license.
  • The refill of the reservoir will occur over the next week, depending on releases from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' upstream West Point Lake.

Statistics:

  • The drawdown will occur over a six-week period.
  • Approximately four weeks will be spent at the low drawdown elevation.
  • The drawdown will begin on Monday, October 27, 2025.
  • The low drawdown elevation of 513 feet PD will be reached by Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
  • The refill of the reservoir will begin on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

Sources:

  • Georgia Power Company. (2025, August 12). Letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requesting temporary variance of Article 401 for non-emergency drawdown.
  • Attachment A: Plan for Implementing the Drawdown and Resource Evaluation.
  • Attachment B: Consultation Process with Resource Agencies (WRD, USFWS, and ADCNR).
  • United States Army Corps of Engineers. (n.d.). West Point Lake.