The Corps operates Hartwell and the other two Savannah Lakes (Russell and Thurmond) per the Drought Contingency Plan once a drought level 1 condition is reached (656MSL for Hartwell summer pool). The purpose of the drought plan is to conserve water resources in the lakes, while providing flows necessary to protect the drinking water, commercial and environmental needs of the lower basin. A revised drought plan was put in effect several years ago with the consensus of  both states, federal agencies and Savannah Basin stakeholders. The main revision in the plan called for flow reductions at drought level 1 versus the old plan that did not call for any mitigation until level 2.

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