Lake Hartwell rises at a time when it normally drops

All the rain we’ve had over the winter has Lake Hartwell continuing to exceed normal lake levels for this time of year. Winter is usually a time when the lake level drops as more water is generated for electricity or sent down the river, and as a way to make room in the sub-basins for the spring rains. By Monday, however, Lake Hartwell stood at 661.58 feet above mean sea level, almost two feet over the winter guide curve of 658 ft msl. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah office, Lake Hartwell received more than 7-inches of rainfall in February. This month, Lake Hartwell has had 3.29 inches of rain. Corps Spokesman Jeremy Buddemeier said since last October, Lake Hartwell has consistently seen higher than average rainfall and he said the Southeast River Forecast Center is calling for a wetter than normal spring. Buddemeier says that is due to a continuing El Nino weather pattern. “There’s a continued chance for above-normal precipitation leading into right before the summer,” he said. “Last year we had more of a stronger El Nino. This year, it’s not as strong, but this year the chance of above-normal precipitation is lower, but it’s still above average.” With spring officially beginning tomorrow, anglers and other boaters are already on the lake enjoying the warming temperatures.