Monday night's level recorded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shows the federal reservoir is now at 1,052.64 feet. That reading surpasses the level of 1,052.66--more than 17 feet below full--which was recorded in December of 1981.

The current mark is the lowest the lake has been since it was constructed in the 1950s.

Lanier is holding only 42 percent of its stored water capacity. Twenty-two percent of the lake's surface water has disappeared.

Lanier has been depleted by the severe drought and releases of its water downstream.

20 November 2007