Early morning rain showers have done little to resolve the low water level of Lake Lanier.

So far today, the National Weather Service is reporting that the Gainesville area has only received .28 inches of rain since storms began early this morning.

Although current precipitation levels may seem insignificant, it marks the first time in nearly one month that rain has fallen in Gainesville. The last significant amount of rain fell on Sept. 12, according to National Weather Service staff.

Currently, Lake Lanier's water level is 1,053.51 feet above sea level, which is still nearly 20 feet below full pool.

Though the area has received only a little rain so far today, it was enough to postpone the Hall County Field of Dreams "Phil Niekro Field" opening ceremony set for this afternoon.

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the handicap-accessible baseball field and playground was scheduled to be at 6 p.m.

Bob Gentile, assistant director of Hall County Parks and Leisure, said the event will be rescheduled but no date has been set.

"With the number of people that are involved, we can't just set a date," Gentile said. "It's going to be a challenge."

A number of local figures, including Hall of Fame baseball player Phil Niekro, Rep. Nathan Deal, State Sen. Lee Hawkins and Hall County Board of Commissioners Chairman Tom Oliver, were planning to participate in the event.

The completion of the Field of Dreams, at Alberta Banks Park, has been highly anticipated by many in the community.

"We've waited and planned for quite a while, but we need the rain so no one's complaining" Gentile said.
The project has encountered many funding hurdles along the way, but the Hall County Board of Commissioners was finally able to get the park completed.

"It really happened when the county commission took it under their wing and injected some funding," Gentile said.

Gentile said the event would have included a ribbon cutting, a singing of the national anthem and an exhibition baseball game with special needs athletes from Hall County.