Spillway gate tests next week

Hartwell Dam Spillway Test - January 2010The Corps of Engineers next week conducts required tests of the spillway gates at its three dams on the upper Savannah River. The tests on Wednesday and Thursday, July 10 and 11 are to ensure the gates work properly and can be activated in the event of an emergency to protect the dam, along with people and property downstream. The tests—at Hartwell Dam, Russell Dam and Thurmond Dam—may be viewed by the public from designated areas at each location. Parking, however, is limited at all locations. The spillway gates are to be opened 1 to 2 feet to give safety experts the chance to evaluate their readiness. Savannah District officials chose this time to conduct the inspections because spring and summer rains filled each reservoir into the flood-storage area putting each above “full pool.”