Q: With all this rain, has the Okefenokee Swamp’s water level returned to normal? What about the fires that were burning out of control in the peat moss?
— Chris McCommon, Kennesaw
A: The water level is higher than in the past several years, Susie Heisey, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge's supervisory ranger, told Q&A on the News. "In the past year to year-and-a-half, we've had good rain and water levels were up," she said. "In July, we recorded levels at about a foot above average for that time in the year." The higher water levels have permitted visitors to access and fish in areas of the swamp that were not possible in drought-stricken years. The Honey Prairie Fire started in April 2011 and burned for a year before being declared out, the longest lasting fire in the refuge's 75-year history. It burned more than 309,200 acres of the 402,000-acre refuge, camping platforms, the Chesser Island Boardwalk and damaged an observation tower.
Q: What has been the ridership of the new SkyView Ferris wheel? How does that compare to the projected numbers?
— Ray White, Woodstock
A: SkyView Atlanta spokesman Jason Evans would not release specific numbers, but told Q&A on the News that "the reception has been wonderful and the numbers have exceeded what we hoped." SkyView managing partner Al Mers has said the 198-foot Ferris wheel could accommodate up to 10,000 passengers a day, but wouldn't need that many to be profitable. He has said he hopes SkyView would draw 300,000 visitors a year. It opened on July 16.
Andy Johnston wrote this column; Carolyn Crist contributed. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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