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Lake Virginia, Talladega National Forest, September 2007. The Utilities Board of Sylacauga Alabama partnered with the Natural Resources Soil Conservation Department to build the lake with the capability of opening a valve on a riser structure to allow flow from this lake to Lake Howard just downstream; Lake Howard is the primary source of drinking water for Sylacauga. The drought has made it necessary to utilize the storage in this lake. The Utilities Board can withdraw 15 feet of water from this lake to supplement Lake Howard; the photo shows that they have pulled approximately 13 of the 15 feet available. At this date, Lake Howard remains approximately 4 feet below full pool. Lake Howard Treatment Plant has the capacity to treat 6 MGD (million gallons per day) and currently is treating 3.4 MGD. Photo courtesy of Darol Russell, Utilities Board, City of Sylacauga, Alabama.