22 Aug 2019

Aquatic plants give shelter to young fish

Finding a quiet and safe place for a nursery tops the priorities for new parents, be they humans or

14 Dec 2016

Route to the Drought

A look back at 2016 provides insight into how the Savannah River Basin reached Drought Level 2 and

1 Jul 2016

Listening to the pulse of the Savannah River

A soft breeze rustled the marsh grasses as James “Jim” Rothnie carefully placed a fresh canvas on his easel. Morning light sparkled on the waters of the ACE Basin nearby. Quietly, he crept closer to the dozen lounging birds, their elegant snow-white plumage contrasting sharply with leathery, bald heads. Wood storks were one of his favorite sightings.

27 Apr 2015

Reservoirs maxed out: Flood storage captures excess rainfall

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The rain event that occurred Sunday, April 19, caused both Hartwell and Thurmond to exceed the limits of conservation storage (almost simultaneously) as water levels rose into flood storage territory. As of this writing, Hartwell’s elevation has climbed more than six inches above the conservation threshold (660.51 feet above mean sea level) and Thurmond follows close behind.

24 Feb 2015

On groundhogs and water levels: What will reservoirs look like on Memorial Day?

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- February has arrived and Groundhog Day has come-and-gone. So this makes me a little late in giving my annual prediction on how the three Corps of Engineers’ Savannah River reservoirs will begin the 2015 tourist season.

13 Jan 2015

SHEP and the Savannah River – a Wrap-up

Environmental stewardship remains a top focus of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. Deepening the Savannah harbor will impact the ecosystem of the estuary and conditions in the river all the way to the base of the Thurmond Dam north of Augusta, Georgia.

11 Dec 2014

Private reservoirs support Corps public ones

Editor’s note: This installment of a continuing series of articles explaining the operations of the Savannah River basin, looks at the support upstream, privately-owned reservoirs contribute to keeping the basin in balance. Savannah District officials often get asked why Lake Keowee, owned by Duke Energy, seems to remain full while the Corps’ reservoirs, particularly Hartwell Lake seems to drop. Read below on how the far-upper basin supports the central basin.

25 Nov 2014

Updates on the Savannah River Basin Comprehensive and Flood Storage studies

In October 2013 we announced an initiative to assess our flood storage capacity to test the possibility of reducing our current flood storage allotment. More specifically, the study will provide information that will better define the present need for flood storage in the basin. In the announcement we estimated the study would take approximately 12 months. Based on recent updates from the Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC), the organization conducting most of the study, the results will be delayed about six more months.

13 Nov 2014

Sound science is critical for balancing ecological, economic needs of the basin

Editor’s Note: This article is authored by Oscar P. Flite III, Ph.D. CEO and Senior Scientist at Phinizy Center for Water Sciences. Dr. Flite and his organization are involved in scientific research on the Savannah River that provides critical information needed to make informed decisions about the basin’s natural resources.

3 Oct 2013

Corps celebrates National Public Lands Day

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District hosted volunteer activities throughout the Savannah River Basin in honor of the 20th Annual National Public Lands Day, Sept. 28, 2013.