Lake Lanier is about two feet below full winter pool. But the water level in the massive federal reservoir is still above normal for this time of year.

At 1,068 feet, Lake Lanier, which provides water for millions of metro Atlantans, is four feet higher than it usually is for early December. Assistant State Climatologist Pam Knox says despite a few pockets of drought, Georgia is pretty wet:

“Because we had more rain fall left over from last year, the reservoir levels were in a lot better shape, and the soil moisture levels and ground water levels were in much better shape.”

But while the state is not in a hydrologic drought, it is in an agricultural drought. The federal government recently designated the whole state eligible for disaster assistance because, since July, farmers in most counties have lost 30 percent or more of crops.

"The combination of the hot summertime temperatures and the dry conditions across a lot of the state really has contributed to effects on farmers.”

Knox says the climate forecast calls for a dry winter in Georgia because of this year’s La Nina weather system.

Tags: drought, water, Lake Lanier, reservoir, pam knox