Tag Archives: Hartwell Dam

Above average August rainfall keeps reservoirs steady

Rainfall in all three reservoir sub-basins exceeded normal in August. While no single event provided the basin with massive runoff, the steady and consistent small rain events kept the reservoirs at a relatively flat level. Leading the charge: Hartwell with … Continue reading

Posted in Rainfall Update, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Dams demand best of operator trainees

(Above: Les Rice guides visitors through a quick tour of the J. Strom Thurmond Dam.) AUGUSTA, Ga. – J. Strom Thurmond Dam currently operates at 98 percent proficiency but its operators are expected to perform above this percentage. Operator Trainee … Continue reading

Posted in Hydropower, Videos, Water Management | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Upper Savannah reservoirs enter Drought Level 1

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The three reservoirs on the Savannah River operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers entered the first drought level today when pool elevation at Thurmond Lake dipped below 326 feet above mean sea level (ft-msl). Entering … Continue reading

Posted in Declaration/Projection, Drought in the News, Drought Response, Studies, Water Quality/Water Supply | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Commander: Persistent, below normal rainfall expected to impact lake levels

Since I took command of the Savannah District in June 2015 we’ve been fortunate to have adequate, and sometimes abundant, rainfall and inflows to maintain full reservoir levels. Beginning in January we observed below-average rainfall throughout the basin, yet were … Continue reading

Posted in Declaration/Projection, Drought in the News, Drought Response, From the Commander, Studies, Water Management, Water Quality/Water Supply | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

A tale of the toothless El Niño?

I’m not one to taunt El Niño, especially in a season where forecasters have consistently predicted a strong showing, but two months of below-average rainfall have brought to mind the old lady from the 1980s Wendy’s commercial who asks, “Where’s the … Continue reading

Posted in Rainfall Update | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , |

High praise for below average performance

For all the hubbub this year’s strong El Niño has generated among forecasters, January’s precipitation, which delivered about 80% of the average at each sub-basin, felt more underwhelming than the numbers suggest. It’s like when LeBron James only scores 20 … Continue reading

Posted in Rainfall Update | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , |

Irrigation prohibition suspended until further notice

In response to a high volume of stakeholder feedback, as well as input from adjacent landowners in a recent meeting, officials from the Corps’ South Atlantic Division (SAD) have announced suspension of the new policy change prohibiting minor water withdrawals … Continue reading

Posted in Recreation, Water Management | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , |

When it comes to rainfall, 5 feet is no small feat

The Savannah River Basin rang in the new year with a bang, but instead of watching the ball (or peach) drop, it basked in the El Niño-inspired, recording-breaking precipitation. Thurmond led all revelers with its 11.1 inches in December, which … Continue reading

Posted in Rainfall Update | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , |

Corps responds to shoreline management concerns

As we expected, the original post last week generated significant attention here on the blog and through email directed to our office. Five issues seemed to stand out which I will address.

Posted in Recreation, Water Management | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Changes affect shoreline uses at Hartwell, Thurmond

Often laws and regulations go into effect at the beginning of a new year. The Savannah District started three more this Jan. 1. All deal with shoreline management at Corps of Engineers’ reservoirs on the Savannah River. Two stirred little … Continue reading

Posted in Fish and Wildlife, Hydropower, Recreation, Water Management | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , |