We have met with our Congressmen and Senators a number of times to discuss how lake levels are impacting lake stakeholders. Jeff Duncan has been particularly interested in our plight so we asked his office recently what they have been able to do to help us. I was delighted to learn some of the things that our politicians in DC have done. One specific example follows:
Congressmen Jeff Duncan (SC-3), Joe Wilson (SC-2), Paul Broun (GA-10) and SC US Senators Jim DeMint and Lindsey Graham have all recommended that the Corps analyze and model a management approach that would maintain Lakes Hartwell and Thurmond elevations within 7-8 feet of the full pool guide curves for a minimum of three years for the current drought of record. They feel strongly that this would serve the dual purposes of minimizing the impact on the recreation and economics of the lakes for the states of GA and SC while reducing the possibility of exhausting the conservation pools thereby protecting downstream interests should the drought continue. This united stand by our key representatives is consistent with their belief of the importance of this endangered resource. Representatives Duncan and Broun are both on the congressional Natural Resource Committee which is a key Committee to initiate any significant federal changes in water management. Senator Graham serves on the Senate Appropriations, Armed Services, and Budget committees. Senator DeMint is on the Senate Commerce Science and Transportation, Joint Economic, Banking Housing and Urban Affairs and Foreign Relations committees. Joe Wilson serves on the House Armed Services, Foreign Affairs and Education and Workforce.
Their recommendation for maintaining lakes within 7-8ft of full pool would require 3600cfs anytime the lakes drop 2ft which is what Save Our Lakes Now has been recommending all along. The only change we would make if they were asking our opinion would be to drop the words "guide curves" so that it reads within 7-8ft of full pool, period.
We would prefer that the Corps go ahead and implement the recommendation of holding lake levels within 7-8ft of full pool until the studies can be completed rather than wait for results from the study. We base this on the fact that we have already operated at these release rates for over 12 consecutive months in the drought of 2008 with no significant problems. But it is very gratifying to see that our Congressmen and Senators are watching what the Corps is doing. Had we followed this approach on the current drought we would be less than 7' below full pool in Hartwell and Thurmond instead of 10 to 11' down.
Other changes that we are recommending beyond these are: 1) drop to 3100cfs in the cooler months and 2) totally discontinue discharges from Thurmond anytime the Savannah River is swollen from rains. These changes combined with 3600cfs anytime the lakes are 2' below full pool would probably keep us within 5' of full pool.
