About Jasper's Big Canoe

Georgia Lake levels are all up. Below is the report. Lake Lanier will be full today, as it is raining. This is amazing as a year ago they were talking about 60 days of water left. All the lakes look good for fall and winter. If you are coming to the North Georgia Mountains we are expecting a dry period to start this Friday. It will be fall weather for sure. We are about a -2 weeks away from peak leaf season I think.

But there is a big exceptioon to this. Lake Raburn in North East Georgia has had a dam problem due to the rain. This lake is empty right now according to some friends of mine and will not be re-filled until some time in December. So Be advised

Reservoir/Lake Station ID Flood Level
(feet) Summer Level
(feet) 7am Pool
Elev (ft) 24 Hour Change
(feet) 24 Hour Precip
(inches)
readings taken
between 1 am & 5 am.

LAKE ALLATOONA	CVLG1	860	840	844.16	2.48	1.27
LAKE BLACKSHEAR	WWCG1	239	237	236.87	-0.04	0.02
BLUE RIDGE LAKE	BRLG1	1691	1686	1677.68	0.42	-
LAKE BURTON	TIGG1	1867	1865	1864.74	-0.26	1.40
CARTERS LAKE	CTRG1	1099	1074	1077.25	0.74	-
CHATUGE LAKE	CHAN7	1927	1925	1921.49	0.05	1.06
GOAT ROCK LAKE	GRDG1	404	400	403.67	4.52	-
LAKE HARDING	CLBG1	-	520	514.44	-	1.75
LAKE HARTWELL	HRTG1	665	660	657.33	0.29	-
JACKSON LAKE	JKNG1	530	528	529.70	2.59	1.61
LAKE LANIER	CMMG1	1085	1071	1070.75	0.81	2.06
NOTTELY LAKE	NOTG1	1779	1775	1768.56	0.29	1.25
LAKE OCONEE	WDMG1	435	434	435.19	0.27	1.93
LAKE RABUN	TERG1	1690	-	-	-	-
LAKE RUSSELL	RBDS1	-	482	474.91	0.85	-
LAKE SEED	NACG1	1753	-	1751.11	-0.18	-
LAKE SINCLAIR	SNCG1	340	339	339.85	1.23	1.02
THURMOND LAKE	CHDS1	335	330	325.65	0.99	-
TUGALO LAKE	TUGG1	892	-	-	-	1.74
WEST POINT LAKE	WETG1	641	635	635.20	0.49	1.65
LAKE YONAH	YNHG1	745	743	741.88	0.05	1.62

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Octoberfest came to Big Canoe this weekend. There were 70 booths open for business. There was a live band and plenty of good food. The weather was a concerned , but aside from the passing sprinkle it was a good day

There were a lot of tents set up with great stuff to buy.

As it is fall the theme was set by displays in front of the festival. It was fun for young and old

I had booth duty . Big Canoe first response and fire had a booth. We have an adopt a fire hydrant program as well as explaining what goes on in Big Canoe. We are a great mountain community where people roll up their sleeves to help each other out as well as party at a great Octoberfest

OK so let me pose the question. Can you be for fiscal responsibility AND for extension of the real estate tax credit ? Here is the debate. Many are looking at Government spending and saying, "wow we are out of control." If you buy that argument or are even concerned then how can you be for an extension of the tax credit?

Yes I know ther tax credit has helped. We have benefited from it here. But in almost every program somebody benefits. When a program is cut somebody loses. So are you saying, "cut , but not in my back yard?"

I pose this question because sometimes we are so quick to raise our voices against government spending EXCEPT when it effects us. So now that I have posed the question I think I should get off the fence and give my opinion.

I think we should adopt the Senator from Georgia, Johnny Isaksons plan. He calls for 15,000 home buying credit for a primary residence. No other strings. This is a plan, with a reduced number, he was part of during the S&L problem a while back and it worked. I think Congress should say it will sunset after one year period. As painful as it may be we need a control on spending. Even if that spending some times works for us.

Each Thursday as Heard on WYYZ Radio in our North Georgia Mountains we bring you the Mountain Real Estate report. If you are in Big Canoe, Jasper, Ball Ground, Ellijay or one of the many areas the show is broadcast you know how important the information is to you. This week we talk about the wisdom of working locally. Enjoy

This week it is going to get a bit cool in the mountains. Fall is a great time of year. Whether you are in Big Canoe or anywhere in Jasper or the North Georgia Mountains you are thinking, " I am looking forward to that first fire in the fire place. Here are some tips to stay safe.

1 You should have a chimney swept once a year for a fire place.

2 If you use a wood burning stove you can go 2 years EXCEPT if you control the heat and do a slow night burn. The slow burn will build up resins in the chimney. You should clean once a year if you do regulated night burns for heat

3 Avoid burning pine. Pine has a lot of creosote in it. Creosote build up is a major cause of chimney fires.

4 If you use a wood burning stove your first couple of fires should be small ones. The iron needs to expand as it has been sitting cold for a number of months. A roaring fire first time out can lead to a crack in the iron and mean you need to replace that expensive bad boy.

5 Remove those decorative pine cones or any flammable objects from around your fire place or stove. They can flame up and cause a major fire from the heat of your fire.

6 Make sure you have a proper fire screen and fire proof rug in front of your fireplace. You do not want popping embers to ruin a good rug or burn a pretty floor.

Remember the chimney sweep you use will check your pipes for cracks and holes as well as clean the chimney. They should also make sure your chimney is water tight. Often you need re-caulking around the top as the heat drys out Caulk. You do not want to allow rain to come down your pipe.

Chimney fires and flammable materials too close to the heat source are a major cause of house fires as winter approaches. Take a little time to make sure your chimney is clean and in good working order. Look at what is around your fireplace or wood burning stove. I do not want to pull up to your house in my fire gear.