Upstate Region enters Stage 1 of Drought

The Keowee-Toxaway Drought Management Advisory Group (KT-DMAG) announces that because of months of reduced rainfall and hot temperatures the Keowee-Toxaway River Basin has entered Stage 1 drought. The Keowee-Toxaway River Basin is part of the larger Savannah River Basin. Stage 1 is the second of five drought stages outlined in the KT Low Inflow Protocol (LIP). Voluntary water conservation is recommended by water users across the Keowee-Toxaway basin. Neighbors on Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee who withdraw water for irrigation purposes are asked to voluntarily limit their water withdrawals to two days a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Other large water users in the basin, as a goal, will adjust their practices to limit water withdrawals. “We support a collaborative approach to ensure the availability of our region’s water resources,” said Bob Faires, Seneca Light and Water. “We will continue educating our customers on using water wisely and promoting smart conservation practices.” The LIP is a regional drought management plan used by major water users in the KT Basin to share responsibility and set priorities for water conservation. The plan outlines specific actions for each stage. Stages of the LIP are based on defined triggers, including reservoir storage and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Drought Plan status, the U.S. Drought Monitor and stream flow. These triggers are reviewed monthly by the KT- DMAG during drought conditions. “The LIP is a coordinated effort to ensure we conserve our shared water resources by proactively planning and responding to changing conditions,” explained Scott Willett Anderson Regional Joint Water System. “Residents and other water users are asked to help limit water use.” The Keowee-Toxaway Drought Management Advisory Group (KT-DMAG) regularly reviews the drought status and recommends coordinated response efforts when the LIP is initiated. The group consists of representatives from large water users and federal and state resource agencies. The KT-DMAG and the LIP are outcomes of Duke Energy’s relicensing process for the Keowee-Toxaway Hydroelectric Project.