Drought Level 1 declared

Lake Hartwell and the two other reservoirs run by the Army Corps of Engineers declared the first drought level last Sunday — responding to the pool elevation dipping below 326 feet above mean sea level.  Entering Trigger Level 1 activates the Corps’ drought plan which conserves water by reducing the outflows from the Thurmond Dam, north of Augusta, Georgia.  Water managers also adjust Hartwell releases as needed to balance with Thurmond.  If the 28-day average stream flow at the Broad River gauge near Bell, Georgia falls below 10% of normal, managers will further reduce the flow from Thurmond.  But the corps’, a federal agency, expects the pools to stay in level 1 and continue to gradually decline through December.  Some swimming beaches and boat landings have limited levels, yet camping, boating, skiing, fishing and other forms of recreation continue unabated.  The public is urged to use caution when boating, swimming or fishing.