10/08/2026
Another Corps of Engineers virtual meeting scheduled for today - see below 👇
CORPS OF ENGINEERS HOSTING 2ND VIRTUAL MEETING TONIGHT
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Savannah District will host its second public meeting tonight to discuss the drought and the new full-lake-level target once the Savannah River Basin and Hartwell Lake receive enough rain to end drought conditions.
The meeting will take place virtually through a Microsoft Teams webinar tonight from 6-7:30 p.m. To join the meeting, click on the link: https://dod.teams.microsoft.us/meet/993339955532?p=vGnq8DVFXYOaZxpLiy.
Corps engineers say that once the lake rises to the newly established 656-foot Mean Sea Level (MSL) full lake target level, the lake level restriction at Hartwell Lake will remain in place until a long-term engineering solution is designed and built to resolve flood risks associated with a seepage deterioration path identified at the Clemson Saddle D**e.
Currently, due to the drought, Hartwell Lake level is 649.10 ft MSL, more than six feet below the newly established lake level restriction of 656 ft.
The Corps says the lake level was already at 651.42 ft on Aug. 25, 2026, the day before the Savannah District announced the new lake level restriction associated with the seepage at the Clemson Lower Diversion Dam Saddle D**e.
They said the level was due to the current drought, not the recently announced lake level restriction.
Hartwell Lake is experiencing record-level rainfall deficits of 14.5 inches for the year.
The seepage issue with the Clemson Saddle D**e was discovered in 2015, and the Corps of Engineers Dam Safety team has continually monitored and assessed erosion and seepage since then to determine the risk.
Corps engineers say the temporary lake level restriction is intended to reduce stress/pressure on the Clemson Saddle D**e by limiting how high Hartwell Lake can rise during periods of heavy rainfall.
However, they say that while there is no immediate danger to the public, the saddle dike's current condition no longer meets the Corps of Engineers’ acceptable risk standards.
During a recent Dam Safety Program evaluation, several required actions were identified, including restricting the lake level.
But questions remain from those living in and around Lake Hartwell. Many question why it has taken 11 years for the Corps to act.
Frequently asked questions can be found here: https://www.sas.usace.army.mil/Missions/Hartwell-Dam-and-Lake/Hartwell-Lake-Level-Restrictions/
For additional information regarding shoreline management, please call the Hartwell Lake Project Manager’s Office at 888-893-0678 or 706-856-0300.
