Lake Hartwell in drought trigger level 1

Lake Hartwell Radio WLHR in Lavonia, Georgia reports lakes Hartwell, Russell and Thurmond are now in drought trigger level 1.  According to Billy Birdwell, spokesman for the Army Corps of Engineers, the three reservoirs on the Savannah River entered the first drought level Monday morning when pool elevation at J-Strom Thurmond Lake dipped briefly to 325.85 feet above mean sea level. Trigger level 1 activates the Corps’ drought management plan, which limits the discharge rate from the Thurmond Dam.  Reducing outflow decreases the amount of hydropower generated through the dams but conserves more water in the reservoirs.  For the public using the lake, Birdwell said it means taking extra safety precautions.  “We expect to stay at Drought Level 1 for a while, ” he said.