Corps wants to reduce flow from Lake Thurmond to Savannah River

AUGUSTA - The Army Corps of Engineers has a plan to conserve water in Thurmond Lake by reducing flow into the Savannah River during periods of low rainfall. <br> <br> The current policy requires a flow of at least 3,600 cubic feet per second from the 70,000-acre reservoir to preserve water supply and water quality downstream. The plan proposed Monday would allow the minimum to be reduced to 3,000 cubic feet per second. <br> <br> ``We developed this proposal based on input we received at our public meetings earlier this fall,&#39;&#39; spokesman Jim Parker said. ``We are planning public meetings on this proposal in early January.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The proposal incorporates suggestions from citizens groups that the Corps&#39; should carefully take into account water entering the Savannah River downstream from Thurmond Dam. <br> <br> ``We&#39;re pleased with this as a first step,&#39;&#39; said Harry Shelley, the coordinator of a group called Friends of the Savannah River Basin. <br> <br> Thurmond Lake, with a normal full pool of 330 feet above sea level, was 14 feet below full pool in November, but recent rainfall boosted it to 321.5 on Monday or less than nine feet below full pool.