The reason the Corps insists on ignoring the proposal for a new drought management plan from LHA et al is not clear. But now that the lakes are nearing full and the time since we were in a severe drought grows longer, misunderstandings and confusion are dimming the passions for correcting the problems with the existing drought plan for Lakes Thurmond and Hartwell. The Corps has raised concerns about dissolved oxygen and the DNR has raised concerns about the welfare of fish and wildlife. And well intentioned but misguided stakeholders of the Savannah River Basin are listening to these concerns and accepting them as reasons not to correct the problem.
What is getting lost in the shuffle is the fact that following the proposed new drought plan is the best solution for all these problems. Using 3600cfs as a release limit anytime Thurmond is 2ft below full avoids the near disasters experienced several times in the past with the current plan. Whether we are talking dissolved oxygen, the welfare of fish and wildlife, or some other well intentioned concern, keeping the lakes full over a full year's cycle is the best way to keep these problems at bay. Those arguing the other way fail to remember the fact that if you put out more water than comes in from rain over the year you drain the lakes and could end up with no way to control any of these concerns. They also are failing to give credit to the fact that in 2008 we ran a full 12 month demonstration of the acceptability of 3600cfs downstream. Furthermore if a problem is discovered with 3600cfs it needs to be solved by some manner that does not run the risk of draining the lakes dry. For example there are many ways to improve dissolved oxygen that do not involve increasing lake releases. One way is to decrease the amount of water going into the Augusta Canal so that you get higher flows across the shoals which aireate the river.
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