Why Hartwell and Thurmond out of balance

The Army Corps of Engineers ascribes two factors to explain why lakes Hartwell and Thurmond are out of balance. According to Russell Wicke of Savannah district Corporate Communications, the Hartwell sub-basin received above-average rainfall last month. But Thurmond’s experienced below-average. During drought conditions, water is only released from the Hartwell project when it is required to maintain a balanced pool with Thurmond. Wicke said, “When Hartwell rises out of balance with Thurmond, we will move water from Hartwell through Russell down to Thurmond in a managed approach not to exceed the needs of local electric cooperatives.”