Hartwell Enters Drought Level Two

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

All three reservoirs in the Upper Savannah River basin are now in Drought Level 2 status.

On Monday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced all three lakes had entered Drought Level 2 when the level of the J. Strom Thurmond Lake dipped to 323.97 feet above mean sea level.

When one of the reservoirs enters a drought level, the other two also enter that drought level.

The lakes typically enter Drought Level 1 status at this time of the year.

However, that designation happened in July this year due to the lack of rain.

Corps Spokesman Billy Birdwell said that continued lack of rainfall this summer has caused the lakes to drop even further.

“We are still in a drought condition in the upper basin,” said Birdwell. “We have had a lack of rain for a few months. It just goes down quickly.”

Birdwell said any level below 324 feet above mean sea level at Lake Thurmond or below 654 feet above mean sea level at Lake Hartwell will activate Drought Level 2.

Lake Hartwell’s level measured 654.80 feet above mean sea level on Tuesday afternoon, or about five feet below full pool.

Birdwell said the Corps will continue to monitor outflows from Thurmond Dam and the Broad River.

“We are of course managing the water carefully and this will cause a reduction in outflow from the system,” said Birdwell.

In the meantime, the weather is still warm and visitors continue to flock to Lake Hartwell on weekends.

Birdwell said the lakes are still open for boating and other recreation, but he advises being extra careful.

“There are still plenty of areas to boat and fish,” said Birdwell. “We just ask people to be careful, especially near the shore.”

Boaters are advised to stick to the main channels and everyone is advised to wear a life jacket when on the water.