North Atlanta Today: Drought Operations Begin as Lake Lanier Falls Eight Feet

Lake Lanier has fallen more than eight feet below full pool, prompting federal drought operations and putting boat access and the reservoir’s slow recovery back in focus.

Thursday, November 5, 2026. Reporting cutoff: 12:06 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Weather and event information was checked at that time.

Drought operations begin at Lake Lanier

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began drought operations Monday as Lanier reached its lowest level since January 2017. A Wednesday morning reading placed the lake at 1,062.57 feet above sea level, 8.43 feet below the 1,071-foot full-pool benchmark. The lake level changes as water enters and leaves the reservoir, so that figure should be treated as a dated measurement rather than a live reading.

The decline reflects a long rainfall deficit, weak inflows and continuing downstream water needs. Clyde Morris of the Lake Lanier Association calculated that Gainesville received about 19.3 inches less rain than normal during the 25 months ending in August. Drought rules can reduce some releases, but they cannot replace missing rainfall.

Low water also makes it important to check a destination before towing a boat to the lake. The Corps’ Nov. 3 recreation update identified the Belton Bridge boat ramp as closed, although the directory did not give a cause. Read the full NAS report on the lake level, drought rules and where to check access.

Peachtree Corners approves 50 townhomes by Technology Park Lake

A former office property at 555 Guthridge Court is set for a residential future after the Peachtree Corners City Council voted 6-0 to approve a 50-townhome development beside Technology Park Lake.

The 7.6-acre plan includes roughly 3.5 acres of open space, a central green and an eight-foot public trail along the lake. The trail would connect with neighboring paths and include a bridge connection in the final design. Buildings would be limited to three stories or 35 feet, and rentals would be capped at 15% of the homes.

The rezoning is an approval, not a construction announcement. The developer still needs detailed engineering and construction permits, along with further environmental review near the lake. No start date or home prices have been announced. See the approved plan and the remaining conditions in the full story.

Georgia’s utility regulators change hands

Democrats will hold a majority on the Georgia Public Service Commission when the new terms begin in January. Peter Hubbard won reelection to the District 3 seat, and Shelia Edwards won the open District 5 seat, giving Democrats three of the five positions. The election returns remain unofficial pending certification.

The commission oversees Georgia Power rates and long-term electricity-supply plans, but the election does not automatically cut anyone’s next bill. The practical test will come when commissioners review utility spending, power-supply proposals and future rate requests. Electric membership corporations and city-owned utilities set their retail rates through different governing bodies.

Data-center growth will be one of the new majority’s early pressure points as regulators decide how the cost of serving large new users should be divided. Our utility guide explains what the commission can change and which customers it regulates.

Closer look: a family cleaning business grows across North Atlanta

Starbiz Cleaning began with a few Sandy Springs homes in 2017. Owner Ralph Etienne said the family business grew by trying to solve the complaints he heard most often: missed arrival times, changing crews and bills that did not match the original quote.

“When you’re the owner and your name is on the door, every single job matters,” Etienne wrote in answers to North Atlanta Star.

Etienne works with his wife, and the company now operates from Sandy Springs and Suwanee, serving households and businesses across parts of North Fulton and Gwinnett. Its commercial work includes offices, medical practices, schools and daycares. Read the full profile and Etienne’s account of how the business grew. The profile discloses that Starbiz received a complimentary Sandy Springs advertising campaign; no payment was made for the story.

Milton tax bills are online

Milton property owners can now view their 2026 city tax bills online. Payments must be received or postmarked by January 7, 2027, to avoid late charges. The city bill is separate from Fulton County taxes.

Online credit-card payments carry a 3% fee, while an eCheck costs $1.75. Owners can avoid online processing fees by mailing payment or paying at City Hall. Anyone whose paper bill has not arrived by November 16 can ask the city’s Finance Department for a printed or emailed copy. Find the payment steps, contact information and fee details in the NAS service guide.

Look ahead: festivals, a night market and cooler sunshine

The weekend calendar runs from the Johns Creek Diwali celebration and drone show to the returning Atlanta International Night Market in Norcross, the Woodstock International Food Festival and veterans events across North Atlanta. The Norcross market is scheduled for Friday evening and Saturday afternoon and evening at Lillian Webb Park. Streets immediately around the park are scheduled to close from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and from 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday.

The National Weather Service’s 10:38 a.m. update said rain had ended in the hardest-hit parts of northern Georgia while emergency flood response continued there. For the North Fulton, Forsyth and Gwinnett zone, the forecast called for sunshine Friday with highs in the lower 70s, followed by sunny skies and highs in the mid-60s Saturday and Sunday. Morning temperatures turn much cooler this weekend.

Build a weekend plan with dates, prices and organizer links in the full NAS guide, and check the latest National Weather Service discussion before heading out. Event operations, ticket inventory and road restrictions can change after this edition’s cutoff.