Reservoirs enter Drought Level 1

The Army Corps of Engineers declared their three Savannah River reservoirs this week at the first drought level, after the pool elevation of J-Strom Thurmond Lake dipped below 326′ above mean sea level.  Trigger Level 1 activates the corps’ drought management plan that conserves water by reducing the outflows from the Thurmond Dam.  The pool elevations Tuesday were 656.31 ft-msl at Lake Hartwell and 325.48 ft-msl at Lake Thurmond.  If the 28-day average stream flow at the Broad River gauge near Bell, Georgia falls below 10 percent of normal, managers will further reduce the flow.  The corps expects the pools to stay in Level 1 and continue their gradual decline through December.  Level 1 does not limit recreation, but boaters, campers and the like are urged to use caution.