All eyes were on the Chattahoochee River at West Point on Thursday as the Army Corps of Engineers bumped releases from West Point Dam up to 56,000 cubic feet per second and a flood warning for the city was extended through Saturday.

Water managers for the corps will evaluate the situation again late this morning before deciding whether to increase releases again.

“We’ll have high water in West Point through the weekend,” corps spokesman David Barr said, although river gauges at Whitesburg and Franklin north of Troup County finally are dropping after setting records.

Barr said additional rain “could complicate things.” There’s a 70 percent chance of rain Saturday as a front crosses the region.

West Point City Manager Ed Moon said the police department was preparing, if warranted, to evacuate to the city’s tech center as water began encroaching on the department parking lot Thursday. A transformer, which supplies power to the department and City Hall, was sandbagged.

City business was carrying on Thursday, although most city vehicles were parked backed in and facing out, in case a quick departure was needed.

“I think we’ll be OK” even with higher releases, Moon said.

Elsewhere, flood waters from the river covered the city’s ball parks and were visible from U.S. 29 coming into the city and behind Givorn’s shopping center, and forced barricades up on some streets to keep onlookers out of the water.

“We have closed 11th Avenue East between C and D streets at the recreation department,” Moon said. “We are not anticipating any service delivery effects or private property flooding at this point.”

Givorn’s manager, Ricky Scott, was on vacation when the store flooded in 2003, but he is keeping a close eye on his back door this time. Water was about 4 feet from the loading dock Thursday.

“I’m moderately concerned,” Scott said. “We’re just watching.”

Highland Marina Resort owner Danny Ellrich also was watching as some of his docks flooded and water encroached on his store and restaurant on West Point Lake. Minnow tanks on the dock were covered by water.

“My problems are nothing compared to (flooding in north Georgia),” he said.

A Bassmasters fishing tournament still is on for this weekend and boaters still were launching, although a few had to wade out to their vessels, he said.

A flood warning continues for the Chattahoochee River near West Point until Saturday morning. Flood stage is 17 feet, and moderate flood stage is 19 feet.

At 5 a.m. today the river was at 18.9 feet and nearly steady. Minor flooding was occurring, and moderate flooding was forecast by the National Weather Service.

The river was expected to rise to near 20.3 feet this morning and remain in moderate flood stage until late this evening.

At 19 feet, mainly farm lands undergo some flooding. Flood waters enter parking lots near the West Point fire station and 911 center.

At 20 feet, mainly low places on West Point streets flood.

The flooding of West Point Lake has forced the postponement of the annual lake cleanup, which was to be in a little more than a week.

The new – tentative – date is Nov. 7.

“Due to concerns for safety and lack of a shoreline, we’re postponing it,” said West Point Lake Coalition executive director Dick Timmerberg.

The floods of this week are likely to bring up more debris than ever once water recedes, so volunteers definitely will be needed. The coalition, which sponsors the event, already was making a push for more volunteers this year due to increased usage of the lake over the summer.

To keep up with the latest developments on the cleanup, or to volunteer a service club or organization, call Timmerberg at (706) 884-5916, email dtimmerberg@bellsouth.net or visit the coalition Web site, www. westpointlakecoalition.org.

The Chattahoochee River rose to a record level at Franklin, breaking a 90-year-old mark.

At 9 p.m. Wednesday, the river stood at 30.55 feet, surpassing the previous record of 28.4 feet set Dec. 15, 1919.

The record was one of many set as creeks and rivers rose out of their banks after heavy rains in north Georgia.

The Ga. 34 bridges in Heard County over Daniel Shoals (Lumpkin Creek), the Chattahoochee Tributary and the Chattahoochee River were closed, the Georgia Department of Transportation said.

Jennifer Shrader may be reached at jshrader@ lagrangenews.com or at (706) 884-7311, Ext. 236.