New Organization Unites Lake Associations to Increase Water Levels LHA Members asked to sign petition.

The Lake Hartwell Association (LHA) is participating with a number of other lake organizations along the upper Savannah River Basin in advocating higher water in the lakes. The organization is called "Save Our Lakes Now" and represents residents, businesses, municipalities and organizations from Lakes Hartwell, Russell and Thurmond.  

Save Our Lakes Now is asking all those interested in keeping our lakes full to go to the www.saveourlakesnow.org online petition and add their names to the petition, asking "the Corps of Engineers for the IMMEDIATE implementation of 3100 cubic feet per second (cfs) from Lake Thurmond and the CONTINUED 3100cfs outflows until ALL three (3) lakes are full".   

It has been established that with conditions similar to what we have been experiencing, an outflow of 3,100cfs from Thurmond, a reduction from the current 3,600cfs, will result in an increase of water in our lakes of approximately 3 feet per year. Other conditions could cause higher increases.   

We recognize that the Corps recently decided to stop discharges out of Hartwell Lake but that was only a temporary - although appreciated - measure until water levels are "balanced" between Hartwell and Thurmond. Flows out of Hartwell Dam are expected to be resumed as of this printing. Outflows from Lake Thurmond continued at 3,600cfs and were not reduced.    

The website also has a number of additional facts and figures about the Savannah River Basin, why 3,100cfs is important and the addresses and contact information for all State and Federal legislative representatives from Georgia, South Carolina and the Corps of Engineers.   

LHA gratefully appreciates all those residents and businesses who have taken time to contact their legislators regarding the impact the low water has on our area and asking them to intercede where possible. These letters have greatly aided in providing a heightened awareness to the Corps and others resulting in faster and more positive responses to situations affecting the lakes. We are continuing in our next major effort to return flows out of Lake Thurmond to 3,100cfs permanently.    

Herb Burnham President - The Lake Hartwell Association  

- - - End LHA Email - - -  Lake Hartwell Association, P.O. Box 312, Fair Play, SC 29643 Tel  864-224-5253   Email: mail@lakehartwellassociation.org www.lakehartwellassociation.org