By contributor writer and photographer Sebastian Llano - Flowery Branch, Georgia

When a river flows between two or more states, by law, these have permissible right to equal shares of its water supply. Thus, for over two decades now, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, have been engaged in a quarrel over Buford’s Dam water retainment, Lake Lanier.

Now with the alarming record high drought conditions the three states have temporarily agreed upon a solution, allowing Georgia time to resolve it’s water crisis. North Georgia, continues to remain at a level four drought response and it is unlikely to change at least till spring of 2008.

Continuing on with the pictorial series, Drying Out, the Losing Georgia Project takes a look at comparing Little Bear Creek from photographs take in March of 2006 to those recently this month. In March, the purpose of photographing the creek was merely for documentary purposes, not knowing that a drought would come a year later.

Taken during the winter, water levels on the creek were average for the season with a fairly strong current. Waters were frigid as it rapidly descended various shoals and rock outcroppings. There were times when crossing the creek was a challenge; moss laden rocks slick by the softest touch.

But the drought took those characteristics away. Water levels have dropped to a startling low that have left parts of the creek to a withered in demise. The sounds of rambling water over rocks are now quiet trickles. Leaves lay effortlessly on the lack of current flowing downstream. The photographs speak for the dramatic change.

Tucked away in the forestry between Dorsett Shoals and Chapel Hill Road is Little Bear Creek, one of the two main tributaries that feed the Bear Creek Reservoir. Beginning life as a natural spring, waters traverse southwest through winding valleys toward reservoir until ending up in the Chattahoochee River.

With such a degree of increased development in the area, Little Bear Creek remains untouched in places where natural wildlife is still prevalent. A network of deer trails cut across the steep ridges, running parallel to the creek where a cold drink can be found. But the north Georgia drought has taken its toll on the small waterway.

What normally is a babbling brook has become quiet and motionless. Water slowly makes pace around rocks, pooling in areas that are murky in silt. A natural spring that feeds into the creek is all but dried up. Its stream bed thick with natural vegetation.

Other tributaries along the way have signs of drying out as well. Eventually the creek runs into a beaver dam that holds the water back from Anneewakee Lake. This journey only covers 3,000 feet of Little Bear Creek, which is over 10 miles in length.

Possibly the most recognized creek throughout all of Douglas County, Tanyard Branch ripples down the rocky shoals near Dorsett Shoals Road as cars roll by on the sharp turn over the bridge. The creek begins its journey between Central Church and Yeager Road, descending into a valley of jutting rock and steep terrain. Cool waters carve southerly before reaching Little Bear Creek.

Although Tanyard Branch serves as a tributary for the Bear Creek Reservoir, it serves little purpose in the replenishment of drinking water. Powered by natural springs and smaller tributaries of its own, the creek is usually plentiful in flow until the affects of the drought occurred.

This post represents a series of pictures taken over the course of almost two years at Tanyard Branch, from January 2005 to October 2007. The lack of water is startling to say the least and an image unwanted. What used to be a pleasant site while driving is but a rocky outcropping with trickles of water.

By contributor writer Mike Moore

Suburban sprawl; unchecked and unprepared for growth; strained reservoirs and other precious natural resources in high demand � the list could go on for hours as to why we must plan for the exponential development that is occurring in Georgia in general and Douglas County in particular.

But I do not wish to sound the alarmist bell with this note. To the contrary, as an MBA and licensed builder, I firmly believe in policies that expand the economic base and provide opportunities to all people to maintain or increase their stations in life. What I do not agree with is the unchecked destruction of our history and the unplanned for mess that all too often characterizes growth in places that are not prepared to see it happen.

Politicians love growth � be it residential or commercial in nature. These well- intentioned folks will understandably proclaim how they have produced jobs for their constituents and increased the revenues of local government without raising taxes by expanding the economic base. Developers and business owners like growth because it creates a scarcity (or a demand) for goods and services that retail, industrial and residential construction can then fill. These are all good, worthy and necessary goals in a free market economy.

The trouble occurs when, in the hysteria to grow for all the good reasons, we downplay and/or downright ignore the negative aspects. All too often a community loses what made it a community in the first place because of unchecked and unmanaged growth. Street corners that defined a unique cross section of community (and Americana) become home to mega-chain restaurants and retailers. Trails that once were trod by early settlers and Native Americans become part of a soul-less mega-development. This is often labeled as �progress�, and those who question its merit are cast aside with dispersion when, in fact, this is the homogenizing of our culture.

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In the past two days a welcome rain has fallen, but water supplies are still low. The George H. Sparks Reservoir, which is the main water resource for the city of East Point, is thriving from the rains. Prior to the rolling storms of moisture that have come, panoramic photographs of the reservoir were captured to tell the story of the drought.

These sweeping views of the reservoir reflect how much water remains and the scenes that can be seen today. Islands of silt protrude from the water’s surface while fishermen play for a tug on the line. View the whole overflow for the reservoir in its entirety; a place that should have water flowing into Sweetwater Creek on a normal basis.

The dryness is vast and compelling, unlike anything seen in many decades. When will the drought end is an unknown answer. For every day of rain is an added day of drinking water.

The next day trip to the George H. Sparks Reservoir involved a walk on the far side of the lake where there used to be suitable fishing spots. Entangled roots of pine trees that once hid beneath the waterline are fully exposed. The hunger for water was clear as the roots took on a presence of stretching out for the distant water that lay ahead.

A silt covered floating dock laid helpless to its tie down ropes as the water flowed by yards away. Trekking to the water supply was the discovery of a dry culvert. No water flow, only stagnate bodies that were home to small fishes. This particular culvert was replaced after the roadway had washed out from torrential rains of Hurricane Dennis.

Further down was another culvert spewing out the remaining water of Beaver Creek. The creek usually fills the other reservoir across from Mt. Vernon Road, however it too has run dry. It was then off to the south side of the lake.

Receding water reveals trash about on the lake bed. From pallets to rusted-out trash cans, these are normal objects found along the now-present shore. Not shortly after a turn was the overflow area where excess water from the reservoir would flow into Sweetwater Creek.

This is no longer the case. Hoping over the two-foot concrete barrier led to a discrete drop off. A canyon carved by water ominously silent. Motionless pools reflected the sky like a leaf covered mirror. The overflow remained absent in its duties. The forecast predicted rain, soon.

The presence of the historical drought has hit the state of Georgia with a devastating blow. Lakes and reservoirs are becoming barren lands, crackled skins yearning for the smallest hint of rain. Douglas County has its share of reservoirs, most notably the Dog River Reservoir, but another has yet to see much press.

Tucked away in the Sweetwater Creek State Conservation Park is the George H. Sparks Reservoir. A familiar sight to those that drive down Mt. Vernon Road that serves as a dam. The Sparks Reservoir serves the residents East Point, a city near the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Originally known as the Beaver Dam Reservoir, Douglas County sold an extensive amount of land belonging to the McCrary family in 1960 to the City of East Point in order for them to build a reservoir. Later the reservoir would be renamed after George H. Sparks, the Public Utilities Director of East Point.

On average water would cover over 215 acres in the state park. Today it is possible to hike the whole perimeter of the lake with ease, a feat not possible on a normal basis. Floating docks sit restlessly and boats are off limits. The reservoir serves as the major water source for the city of East Point.

These photographs were taken two days before the rains came on Friday.

The drought is affecting everyone. Creeks are coming to a trickle, reservoirs are closer to drying up, and little rain has fallen. News reports detail the struggle to conserve water while new water ban restrictions are on their way. It has been over 100 years since a drought of the magnitude has hit Georgia.

Douglas County has a six month supply of drinking water left in the Dog River Reservoir. But how bad is it? The Losing Georgia Project is returning its roots: photographing the story of Douglas. It’s not the photograph that goes along with the story, it’s the photographs that tell the story.

Drying Up is a new pictorial series that will capture the effects of the drought at ground level.

It’s been awhile since an update or story. A couple of tours for Google Earth have been updated in the last few weeks with some improvements and tweaks. The Historic Resources of Douglas County, Georgia tour received a vast improvement in placemark control. Resources were broken down by 100s in folders, now they are broken down by 10s. Also some photographs of houses and buildings have been introduced.

The Losing Georgia Interactive Tour is now at version 2.4.3, with the addition of a network link to the historic resources. Users can download any tour from the Tours page.

Google Earth users have the option to download the Interactive Tour directly from the software using the new “Add Content” button under the Places sidebar. Click on the “Add Content” button and your browser will open up to Google Earth Gallery. Search for “Losing Georgia” and the tour will show up.

In other news, some changes are coming to the Project and the website. Be on the look out for the next couple of weeks.