Drought Worsens

BUFORD, Ga. (AP) -- An epic drought continues to tighten its grip on the South.<br/><br/>About 26 percent of the Southeast is covered by an "exceptional" drought, the National Weather Service's worst

Monday, October 15th 2007, 8:59 pm

By: News On 6

BUFORD, Ga. (AP) -- An epic drought continues to tighten its grip on the South.

About 26 percent of the Southeast is covered by an "exceptional" drought, the National Weather Service's worst drought category.

And if there's a ground zero, it's once-mighty Lake Lanier, the Atlanta water source that's now a relative puddle surrounded by acres of dusty red clay.

Little rain is in the forecast, and without it climatologists say the water source for more than 3 million people could run dry in just 90 days.

Some towns are considering more drastic measures than mere lawn-watering bans, including mandatory rationing that would penalize homeowners and businesses if they don't reduce water usage.

Lawmakers in Georgia, Florida and Alabama are taking aim at The Army Corps of Engineers. The drought has intensified a decades-old feud involving how the Corps manages water rights.