The three reservoirs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates on the Savannah River, including Lake Hartwell, entered the first drought level Monday, according to the Corps.
The reservoirs entered drought level one because pool elevation at Thurmond Lake dipped below 326 feet above mean sea level. The first drought level means the Corps limits the discharge rate from Thurmond Dam.
Once either Hartwell Lake or Thurmond Lake enters drought conditions, water managers reduce releases from Thurmond Dam until Hartwell and Thurmond rise 2 feet above the trigger.
"Below average rainfall in 2016 gradually reduced inflows into the reservoirs," Stan Simpson, hydrologist and senior water manager for the Corps' Savannah District said in a media release. "However, because of very heavy rains early last winter, the reservoirs and inflowing tributaries kept the reservoirs full. By following our long-established water manual, we managed to keep reservoirs above drought triggers in spite of the rain deficit."
Corps officials urged the people to use caution when boating, swimming or fishing. As reservoirs drop, underwater obstructions are closer to the surface.
The Level of Lake Lanier, another Corps-managed reservoir, was 1066.71 on Monday. One month ago, it was 1067.81.
