Popular ‘inland ocean’ is approaching record water level heights (Source AccuWeather)

Lake Lanier is known as Georgia’s inland ocean and that ocean is rising this winter. Heavy rain has swelled the reservoir to its highest levels in over 55 years. In a Facebook comment from Feb. 13, the Lake Lanier Association wrote that they expect to surpass that 1964 record of 1077.15 feet. As of Feb. 19, the lake was at 1076.64 feet, with more rain in the forecast. AccuWeather Meteorologist Danielle Knittle said the area has received more precipitation in the first two weeks of February than the region normally receives on average for the whole month. “Through the first 17 days of the month, they’ve seen 7.37 inches of total precipitation, including those 4 inches of snow back on the Feb. 8,” Knittle said. “The normal monthly total for February is 5.28 inches. Going back to the start of the year, their normal precipitation through Feb. 17 is 8.24 inches, but this year has seen nearly 15 inches recorded.”

All that excess rain and snowmelt has swelled the massive lake for the second year in a row.

Less than a year ago, similarly dangerous water levels also prompted officials to urge residents to cut power to docks. According to WSBTV.com, most of the 10,000 docks on the lake last year had electric power running to them in order to run boat lifts or charge batteries. When the water rises, those submerged electric connections can become life-threatening.