Category Archives: Studies

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

On watermelons and water levels

Summer in the Southeast means many things. Heat and humidity come to mind first, of course, but so do things like lazy Sunday afternoons, fishing trips, water skiing, firefly chasing and eating watermelon under a shade tree. In the upper … Continue reading

Posted in Declaration/Projection, Drought in the News, Drought Response, From the Commander, 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

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Listening to the pulse of the Savannah River

A soft breeze rustled the marsh grasses as James “Jim” Rothnie carefully placed a fresh canvas on his easel. Morning light sparkled on the waters of the ACE Basin nearby. Quietly, he crept closer to the dozen lounging birds, their … Continue reading

Posted in Drought Response, Fish and Wildlife, Flood Risk Management, Guest Author, Savannah Harbor, Studies, Water Management, Water Quality/Water Supply | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Savannah River Comprehensive Study moves forward

Researchers working on the Savannah River Comprehensive Study reached another milestone recently when they completed modeling for the first four drought operation plan alternatives. The multiagency study seeks to provide a better understanding for the impacts and risks associated with … Continue reading

Posted in Declaration/Projection, Drought Response, Flood Risk Management, Hydropower, Savannah Harbor, Studies |

Study: Dams will survive worst possible storm, winter guide curve likely here to stay

We recently published a report on a study that analyzed the ability of our three dams to contain the greatest rain event the basin could expect, with a section that addressed the feasibility of reducing the winter drawdown two feet. … Continue reading

Posted in Studies, Water Management |

Workers prepare site for dissolved oxygen system

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Just like a nurse who swabs an arm before injecting vaccine into a patient, workers began clearing debris and underbrush from land set to house dissolved oxygen injection equipment for the Savannah River.

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Status update for ongoing Corps studies

In December, we asked for feedback on topics you’d like to read more about on Balancing the Basin. Several readers responded, so throughout 2016 we’ll be incorporating those questions and comments into posts. Excerpt from Ferris’ comments: “… I would … Continue reading

Posted in Fish and Wildlife, Flood Risk Management, Savannah Harbor, Studies, Water Management |

Corps awards $40.2M contract to build raw water storage for Savannah harbor expansion

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Construction should begin by this summer on a $40.2 million, raw water storage impoundment for the City of Savannah as part of environmental mitigation for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah … Continue reading

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Evidence continues to point to wet winter for the basin

Last week, climatologists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued their winter outlook for 2015-2016. Based on their predictions, the southern U.S. can expect a cooler, wetter winter, whereas the Pacific Northwest and Great Lakes regions should experience … Continue reading

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