The lack of rain this year in Central Georgia this year is leaving some fisherman high and dry as boating ramps close due to low water levels.

The lack of rain this year in Central Georgia this year is leaving some fisherman high and dry as boating ramps close due to low water levels. The cumulative drought is taking its toll on the region and even affecting some farmers. However, some people going to the lake said they are disappointed in the low water levels.

"It makes me sad that it's turned out that way this year but, you know we don't have enough water,” fisherman Bill Yeatman said.

Yeatman has fished at the Ocmulgee Public Fishing Area for the last five years but this is the first time he's seen the water level this low.
"I need more water and the fish need more water because if water keeps going down then we're going to lose our fish."

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the lack of rainfall this year accompanied with a possible leak has drained the lake more than 12 feet below normal levels. And it's not just the lake, some farmers say their water supply is running down as well.

"The ponds are low, a lot of the creeks and branches are either low or dry on farm,” farmer Hugh Cromer said. “The owners have never seen them (this) dry before or never seen them at these low levels before."

According to the National Weather Service, Macon has received less than 21 inches of rain this year which is 7 and half inches below average. However, some said conditions may change as more showers move through the region.

"Spotty showers have helped,” Cromer said. “I mean some have gotten a half inch of rain. We had a 70% forecast for rain on Monday (and) some of us got as much as a half inch (and) some didn't get anything."

But, until a massive rainstorm hits the area, Yeatman said he'll just fish in his little boat.

"You can see what the problem is, we can all see what the problem is but there's nothing we can do about it at the moment," he said.

According to the DNR the main lake is closed because low water levels and muddy ramps are making it too difficult to launch boats but, people can still go out to the lake and fish.