Hartwell Dam Spillway to be Opened Wednesday
If you have never seen the Hartwell Dam spillway gates open you will have a chance to do so Wednesday.
The U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers will test spillway gates at its three dams on the Upper Savannah River Wednesday and Thursday.
Corps Of Engineers spokesperson Tracy Robillard said during the tests the spillway gates will be opened to give safety experts the opportunity to evaluate their readiness.
The last time the Corps tested the spillway gates at the Hartwell Dam was in January 2010. Robillard says these tests are required periodically in accordance with the Corps’ dam safety program.
In order to conserve water, safety officials will begin the test at Hartwell Dam first, which is the uppermost of the three. By doing so, the same water can be used to test Russell Dam and then Thurmond Dam.
Hartwell Lake is currently two feet above full pool because of the heavy rainfall we’ve been experiencing in recent weeks.
However, the test, while visually dramatic, will have only a minimal impact on reservoir levels, according to Robillard.
The tests begin at Hartwell Dam Wednesday afternoon at 1p will last until 3:30p.
The test at Russell Dam will be Thursday morning from 8:30a to 11a, and the spillway opening at Thurmond Dam will be Thursday afternoon from 1:30p to 4p.
The public may observe the tests from designated viewing and parking areas at each location. Parking is limited at all locations..
Due to the rapid increase in water flow during the test, the corps advises swimmers and boaters to avoid the area immediately downstream from the dams following the tests.
Charlie Bauder, WNEG Radio Toccoa contributed to this story