Three lakes emerge from drought level 2
South Carolina lakes Hartwell, Russell, and Thurmond have come out of drought level 2 and, says the Army Corps of Engineers, are back in drought level 1 — thanks to the rains across the Savannah River Basin. Nevertheless, lake users are advised to use caution. Privately-owned reservoirs upstream of Lake Hartwell are releasing water, accounting for additional inflow for Lake Hartwell.