The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District will host a second virtual public meeting on Hartwell Lake levels Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Microsoft Teams.
The session is meant to cover drought conditions and the lake’s new full-pool target once rainfall returns. Hartwell remains under a 656-foot mean sea level full-lake target while engineers pursue a long-term fix for seepage at the Clemson Saddle Dike, a structure that helps protect Clemson University and surrounding areas.
Because of drought, the lake recently stood at 649.10 feet — more than six feet below that restriction — after measuring 651.42 feet on Aug. 25, the day before the restriction was announced. The basin has seen a record rainfall deficit of about 14.5 inches over the past year, the Corps said. Officials say there is no immediate public danger, but the dike no longer meets Corps risk standards.
A first virtual session in September drew almost 600 participants and about 100 submitted questions. Corps officials told that audience water is slowly eroding the foundation under the Clemson Saddle Dike and that a permanent repair could take around 10 years, with a dam safety modification study still awaiting funding.
In-person information sessions are also expected in November. Shoreline and project questions can be directed to the Hartwell Lake project office.
