We have entered into a serious drought situation and Lake Thurmond level is dropping like a rock. The Corps is sending mixed signals on how they plan to manage Lake Thurmond release rates. At first it appeared that they were modifying the old drought plan by going to 3800 cfs releases from Lake Thurmond. Now it looks like the Corps has reverted back to the old drought plan because they have increased releases from Lake Thurmond to 4200 cfs.
There are problems with the old drought plan both upstream and downstream of Thurmond Dam. Upstream it will cause serious economic losses in just a few months time. For example during the last drought the marinas located near McCormick, SC and Lincolnton, GA were suffering monetary losses in excess of 30% and real estate values around the Savannah River Basin Lakes were virtually destroyed. Downstream it could destroy the ability to control river flows in a few years time. At the end of the last drought we were within 2' of losing control over river flows.
All stakeholders around the lakes are on the verge of significant economic losses. You may want to let the Corps know your concerns now before lake levels get totally out of hand the way they have in the past several droughts.
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