CORPS OF ENGINEERS DECLARES DROUGHT TRIGGER LEVEL 1 ON LAKE HARTWELL

In response to the pool elevations at Hartwell and J. Strom Thurmond Lakes dropping, the Corps of Engineers has declared a Drought Trigger Level 1 on the Upper Savannah River.

Entering Drought Trigger Level 1 activates the Corps of Engineers’ Drought Management Plan, which conserves water in the reservoirs by reducing the outflows from the Thurmond Dam.

Water managers also adjust Hartwell releases, as needed, to stay in balance with Thurmond Lake.

Reducing outflow decreases the amount of hydropower generated through the dams but conserves more water in the reservoirs.

On Friday, the lake level at Lake Hartwell was 656.0 feet above mean sea level, four feet below full pool.

The lake level at Thurmond Lake was 326 ft msl.

Under Drought Trigger Level 1, the outflow from Thurmond Dam will be limited to a daily average of 4,200 cubic feet per second (cfs)

In addition, if the 28-day average stream flow at the Broad River gauge near Bell, Georgia, falls below 10% of normal, managers will further reduce the flow from Thurmond to a daily average of 4,000 cfs.

The Corps of Engineers expects the pools to stay in Level 1, continuing a gradual decline into December. (Currently 49%)

Stan Simpson, senior water manager for the Savannah District says thiss year’s inflows have intermittently transitioned between above normal to well below normal, triggering drought operations almost a month earlier than last year.

He added that the sudden extreme dry conditions are referred to as a flash drought.

The Drought Management Plan was developed based on scientific data and in coordination with various state, federal, local agencies and public input. To view the chart for trigger action levels, visit Drought Trigger Action Levels. To view the plan, click Drought Plan

Currently, boat launching lanes are open, swim beaches have approximately two feet of water, and camping, boating, skiing, fishing and other forms of recreation continue unabated.

As always, safety officials urge the public to use caution when boating, swimming or fishing.

And as the reservoir levels decline, underwater obstructions will be closer to the surface.

All visitors should wear a life jacket when swimming, boating, skiing or fishing.

For information about boat ramp closures, visit Thurmond Boat Ramp Status and Hartwell Boat Ramp Status.

For more information on current lake levels and projections, visit the District’s lake-level website at Savannah District Water Management.