GAINESVILLE, Ga. (AP) -- Federal officials say they're lowering Lake Lanier's water level and increasing the flow of water downstream to ease drought conditions in parts of Georgia, Alabama and Florida.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials have said they will release more water from Lanier and West Point Lake because of drought conditions affecting river basins in Georgia, eastern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.

The Times of Gainesville reports that officials expect Lanier to drop six inches each week at the current release rate.

Corps of Engineers spokeswoman Lisa Parker said the extra water being released is needed downstream to maintain hydropower, fish and wildlife and water quality in those areas.

She said the Corps has also drawn down Walter F. George Lake, on the Alabama-Georgia line, as much as it can.

------ Information from: The Times, http://www.gainesvilletimes.com

AP-WF-11-15-12 1344GMT