Upper Savannah River Reservoirs almost Full

The three reservoirs operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the upper Savannah River continue to rise and officials have announced the end of drought operations. The full pool levels are 660 feet above mean sea level at Hartwell Lake, 475 feet above mean sea level at Russell Lake and 330 feet above mean sea level at Thurmond Lake. The dramatic rise in reservoir level’s came from consistent, widespread rainfall throughout the upper Savannah River basin, according to officials. Beginning in December weather systems produced enough rain to saturate the soil and cause runoff into the Corps-operated reservoirs. Tributaries feeding the reservoirs continue to run high from recent rains which cause a rapid increase in water levels. The Savannah District’s drought plan requires restricted outflows from Thurmond Dam until levels at Hartwell Lake reach 658 feet above mean sea level and Thurmond Lake reaches 328 feet above mean sea level. Hartwell Lake exceeded 658 feet above mean sea level on April 29 but outflow restrictions remained in effect until Thurmond Lake reached 328 feet above mean sea level. Rising to these levels puts the dams in “normal operations” with no outflow restrictions.