3 Apr 2020

Thurmond closes 3 more boat ramps due to corona virus

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Officials at J. Strom Thurmond Lake have closed an additional three boat ramps in cooperation with local law enforcement to help achieve the national individual distancing standards set by the government. Officials previously closed the visitors center and all restrooms, campgrounds and day-use areas (and boat ramps inside those areas) at the reservoir.

24 Mar 2020

Corps of Engineers squashes rumors about reservoir access

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Consistent rumors abound concerning access to Thurmond Lake, Russell Lake and Hartwell Lake on the upper Savannah River for boating and fishing. Boating and fishing remain OPEN. Campgrounds and day-use areas at Thurmond and Hartwell lakes operated by the Corps of Engineers are closed until further notice. Boat ramps inside campgrounds and other boat ramps with gates are closed. Boat ramps without gates remain OPEN. Bank fishing remains OPEN.

18 Mar 2020

Corps of Engineers restricts use of Savannah River campgrounds, day-use areas

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Officials with the Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced

17 Mar 2020

Memorandum of Agreement for historic structures affected by the fish passage near Augusta, Georgia, released for public review

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, posted a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) today

7 Feb 2020

Corps of Engineers: Savannah River to exceed channel capacity within hours

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expect the Savannah River below Thurmond Dam to exceed channel capacity by this evening due to recent rainfall causing a significant increase in local inflow. In other words, the Savannah River below Thurmond will see higher and faster flows, with water overflowing the riverbank. In anticipation of these increased natural flows, Corps officials reduced the water releases from the J. Strom Thurmond Dam (JST) near Augusta, Georgia. By reducing the releases from Thurmond Dam, Corps officials avoid contributing to local flooding risks.

23 Jan 2020

No more excuses: New crosswalks make going to the gym safer, easier at Ft. Bragg

A dozen new, lighted and solar-powered crosswalks with flashing warning lights now warn drivers that pedestrians are waiting to cross busy streets on the Army’s most populous installation, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

10 Jan 2020

Thurmond Lake to close six fish cleaning stations

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The U.S Army Corps of Engineers, at the J. Strom Thurmond Lake will close six of its eight fish cleaning stations due to budgetary constraints, as well as increased costs to operate and maintain the stations. The indefinite closures begin Jan. 15, 2020.

20 Dec 2019

Corps’ Hartwell Lake Office accepts Christmas trees for recycling

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Hartwell Lake Project Office will again accept natural Christmas trees (no artificial trees) for recycling Dec. 26 through Jan. 26, 2020. All ornaments and tinsel must be removed before dropping the trees off.

20 Dec 2019

Thurmond Lake to recycle used Christmas trees

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers at the J. Strom Thurmond Project will accept real Christmas trees for recycling Dec. 20 through Jan. 8, 2020. Artificial trees will not be accepted.

16 Dec 2019

Thurmond Lake to resume full camping services in 2020; McDuffie County to lease and operate Big Hart campground

SAVANNAH, Ga. – McDuffie County, Georgia, has agreed to lease the Big Hart Campground on Thurmond Lake from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and operate it as a county park, the Corps announced this week. In addition, the Corps will reopen all other camping and day-use areas on its normal seasonal schedule in 2020.

21 Nov 2019

Corps to host youth waterfowl hunts at Richard B. Russell Lake

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District will hold five youth waterfowl

18 Nov 2019

Crews re-mark boundary lines at J. Strom Thurmond Project

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Workers have begun to clear and re-mark approximately 50 miles of the boundary line

29 Oct 2019

Corps announces decision on fish passage; plans for public engagement

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today its decision on the future of the

28 Oct 2019

Shoreline permit fee increase at Corps of Engineers reservoirs put on hold

SAVANNAH, Ga. – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is delaying the implementation of fee increases for shoreline permits in the South Atlantic region while USACE conducts a national review of the shoreline management program fees.

2 Oct 2019

Upper Savannah reservoirs enter Drought Level 1

SAVANNAH, Ga. –The three reservoirs on the Savannah River operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers declared the first drought level Tuesday in response to the pool elevation at J. Strom Thurmond Lake dipping below 326.0 feet above mean sea level (ft-msl). Entering Trigger Level 1 activates the Corps’ drought management plan which conserves water in the reservoirs by reducing the outflows from the Thurmond Dam.

30 Sep 2019

Deepening the inner Savannah harbor begins

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Today Col. Daniel Hibner, commander of the Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, announces deepening begins for the inner portion of the Savannah harbor. This initiates the final construction phase of the 20-year effort to deepen the third busiest container port in the United States.

23 Sep 2019

Fish Passage report decision delayed several weeks

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The decision and approval of the anticipated Post Authorization Analysis Report of

18 Sep 2019

Army Corps of Engineers waives fees on National Public Lands Day, Sept. 28

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced today that it will waive day use fees normally charged at boat launch ramps and swimming beaches at its recreation areas nationwide in recognition of National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 28.

3 Sep 2019

Youth dove hunts coming soon to Russell Lake

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold two youth dove hunts on the Georgia

30 Aug 2019

Russell Lake seeks volunteers for National Public Lands Day cleanup

SAVANNAH, Ga. – As part of the annual National Public Lands Day celebration, officials at Richard B. Russell Lake seek volunteers to help clean up shoreline and islands at the reservoir along the Georgia and South Carolina border, on Sept. 28.