Courtesy Photo | Col. Jeff Hall, Commander, Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.... read more read more
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Updated, long-range weather forecasts for the upper Savannah River basin, indicating a drier-than-normal winter and spring, prompted officials of the Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this week to reduce water discharges from its three-reservoir system on the Savannah River.
Water managers for the district reduced discharges from the J. Strom Thurmond Dam from 4,000 cubic feet per second (weekly average) to 3,800 cfs in an effort to retain more water in the reservoir system for upcoming months. The decision followed updates to long-range weather forecasts which predict a strengthening "La Niña" weather pattern over the South Pacific. This pattern, characterized by a cooling of ocean waters in that region, usually indicates drier weather in the upper Savannah River basin.
"We constantly look at forecasts and weather patterns so we can make the best scientific decisions on managing water in the Savannah River basin," said Col. Jeff Hall, Savannah District commander. "Based on this I concluded that reducing outflows was in the best long-range interest of the basin."
The Corps reduced maximum outflows to 4,200 cfs in July when reservoir levels entered "drought level 1" conditions and reduced them again a month later when water reached "drought level 2." The reservoirs remain at level 2 but the worsening forecast prompted officials to take the extra step to reduce the flows further.
"Within our drought plan we have a limited amount of discretion in which we can adjust outflows based on changing conditions," said Stan Simpson, a water manager with the Savannah District. "At our current level 2, that range is from 4,000 cfs to 3,800 cfs averaged over a week."
The reservoirs continue to provide visitors with top-notch recreational opportunities including boating, fishing, picnicking, camping, and other outdoor activities. However, boaters should exercise special caution during drought because underwater obstacles are now closer to the surface. Officials remind visitors to wear a life jacket whenever in, on, or near the water.
The Savannah District operates Thurmond Dam and Lake, Richard B. Russell Dam and Lake, and Hartwell Dam and Lake as multipurpose projects. The reservoir projects must meet seven congressionally authorized purposes: water supply, water quality, flood risk reduction, recreation, wildlife management, downstream navigation and hydropower production.
Drought conditions only allow hydropower production during releases to meet downstream water supply needs. The Savannah District provides cur rent reservoir levels and other data on its water management Web page: http://water.sas.usace.army.mil/home/indexDU.htm. The District also publishes "Balancing the Basin," an online newsletter containing current information on Savannah River basin water management, available through their main website: www.sas.usace.army.mil.
| Date Taken: | 10.14.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.14.2011 15:08 |
| Story ID: | 78502 |
| Location: | SAVANNAH, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 179 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Long-range weather forecast prompts Corps to reduce Savannah River outflows, by Billy Birdwell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT