Low Lake Levels May Close Ramps

The hot, dry summer is accelerating Thurmond Lake’s decline, with forecasters predicting the reservoir will drop an additional four feet by early November, a plunge that could close as many as 28 of the lake’s 63 major boat ramps.

The lake’s pool was at 322 feet above sea level on Monday, or eight feet shy of its full pool of 330 feet above sea level.

It is likely to fall to 318 by the first week in November, according to projections posted Monday by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

When water levels fall to 318 or below, at least 28 of the lake’s 63 major boat ramps could become difficult or impossible to use.

As of Monday, however, only four of the lake’s boat ramps – Broad River Campground, Calhoun Falls, Chamberlain Ferry and Leroy’s Ferry – were listed as closed.

In August, the corps reduced hydropower generation as part of a federally approved plan to slow the decline of water levels.

Currently, flows through the dam into the Savannah River are limited to no more than 4,000 cubic feet per second on a weekly average.

Further flow reductions will be triggered if the lake falls to 312.

Over the past 30 days, rainfall has averaged less than 30 percent of normal for this time of year in the Upper Savannah Basin, according to corps hydrologist Stan Simpson.

As a result, the soil is very dry, which reduces the amount of runoff and inflow from tributaries after rain events.

Additionally, low soil moisture reduces the amount of water available for evapotranspiration that causes cloud formation for afternoon thunderstorms this time of year.

Reach Rob Pavey at 868-1222, ext. 119 or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.

Originally published by Rob Pavey Staff Writer.

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