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.