A dry reservoir

News

A dry reservoir

The reservoir in Douglas County, now nearly dry, is used by the City of East Point for reserve water.

Robert Hunlock of the Georgia Park Service walks through the thick mud in the 215-acre George Sparks Reservoir. The lake in Douglas County is mostly dry land. Originally constructed as a water supply for the City of East Point, the state now manages George Sparks Reservoir as part of the 2,549 acre Sweetwater Creek State Conservation Park. The water level in the lake varies between 25 to 30 feet when it is full.

The reservoir is now used by East Point for reserve water storage, said Herbert Humphrey, director of government operations for the city.

East Point draws its water from Sweetwater Creek downstream from the Sparks Reservoir, and only uses water from the reservoir when the creek's level falls too low to draw from. When Sweetwater Creek drops below that critical point, water is released from Sparks Reservoir to raise the creek's level.

Humphrey said that while there is currently a 52-day supply of reserve water in the Sparks Reservoir, the city has not had to release water from the lake into Sweetwater Creek in the past 45 days.

The ducks are still hanging around the reservoir but the water has mostly dried up.

Mal and Lin Rabern walk on dry land through the the George Sparks Reservoir.

Mussels shells in the dry sand of the George Sparks Reservoir.

This is what it looks like inside the giant pipe that once moved water from one lake to another under Mt. Vernon Road inside 215-acre George Sparks Reservoir in Sweet Creek Park. This pipe should be filled with water.

This no swimming sign is not needed these days, but the park was popular for fishing, birdwatching and canoeing.

These dead fish are in the George Sparks Reservoir

1/10

Robert Hunlock of the Georgia Park Service walks through the thick mud in the 215-acre George Sparks Reservoir. The lake in Douglas County is mostly dry land. Originally constructed as a water supply for the City of East Point, the state now manages George Sparks Reservoir as part of the 2,549 acre Sweetwater Creek State Conservation Park. The water level in the lake varies between 25 to 30 feet when it is full.

Today's Gallery Headlines

Georgia students organize protests against ICE after Minnesota killings

Alerts

PHOTOS: Snellville's Brookwood High School students rally and march against ICE

PHOTOS: Scenes from icy winter storm in Metro Atlanta

PHOTOS: Georgia readies for incoming ice storm

PHOTOS: Metro Atlanta ICE protest join national effort

PHOTOS: Georgia's first snowfall of the year

PHOTOS: The Compass Rose Cafe serves up quality food with heaping side dishes of life skills

PHOTOS: People gather in downtown Atlanta to protest U.S. military action in Venezuela

PHOTOS: Thousands run AJC Polar Opposite Peachtree Road Race