Christmas week delivered rain to Lake Hartwell

A couple that recently bought a home on Lake Hartwell was told this week that, yes, lake levels are down, but the lake will bounce back. The U-S Army Corps of Engineers credits Christmas week for delivering much-needed relief to all three sub-basins. Until December 23, the month was turning out to be exceptionally dry. Before the 23rd, the entire basin recorded less than an inch. On Christmas Eve, Hartwell received nearly 2.5 inches while Thurmond and Russell received more than 2.6” 2015 started with a neutral forecast. Only an isolated portion of the Savannah River Basin is experiencing abnormally dry conditions. NOAA forecasts the likelihood of drought removal in the area by March.