U.S. Water News Online
COLUMBIA, S.C.-- The state of South Carolina has upgraded the Savannah River basin to a moderate drought because of lower levels in lakes and reservoirs and a decrease in groundwater levels.
"The decision to upgrade the drought status to moderate was supported by the long-term rainfall deficit in the Upstate," said Freddy Vang, the deputy director of the Land, Water and Conservation Division in the Department of Natural Resources.
The Savannah River marks the state line between South Carolina and Georgia for much of its length.
Vang said unless there is a significant increase in rainfall in the next two months, river and lake levels along the basin will continue to decline.
David Baize of the state Department of Health and Environmental Control said that no water systems are reporting any supply problems at this time.
State Climatologist Hope Mizzell said the "moderate" declaration does not require any mandatory action by public water systems or the public.
But all water systems in the Savannah River basin should review their local drought plans and ordinances, Mizzell said.
Both Duke Energy and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which operate dams along rivers in the state, have declared a drought is beginning.
The corps upgraded its drought status for the Savannah River basin on Aug. 28. Both Lake Hartwell and Lake Thurmond have reached what the corps calls "drought trigger level two," the release said.
That level recommends a water release of 4,500 cubic fee per second downstream from Lake Thurmond; however, because of the persistent drought conditions in the basin, the Corps has only been releasing 3,600 cubic feet per second recently -- the lowest amount that can be released without negative impact for downstream users.
"By reducing releases now, they are extending the availability of water in the reservoirs," a news release from DNR said.
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