Updated 10-08-2011 DROUGHT CONDITIONS

Please note: Substantial reduction in lake levels at certain lakes listed below:

This seasonal report will be posted at least once during each season.

All the major lakes in South Carolina are now below full pool due to drought conditions in South Carolina. The lakes at Santee Cooper, Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie, now have boat ramp closings because of the drought. You should call one of the local lake landings at Santee Cooper before taking you bringing your boat here, so you can locate a useable boat ramp. Lake Jocassee is 22 feet down, but the boat ramp at Devil’s Fork State Park is still completely useable. This ramp can also be safely used at lower lake levels.

If you are boating on one of these lakes which have extremely low lake levels, then you should exercise extreme caution when navigating. Stumps, standing timber, and rocks are boating hazards when the lake levels drop significantly.

Here are the approximate lake levels as of October 8, 2011

Lake +/- feet

HARTWELL - 7.58 OK

RUSSELL - 2.16 Very Good

THURMOND - 7.88 OK

GREENWOOD - 3.33 OK

JOCASSEE - 22.9 FAIR (boat ramps still useable)

WATEREE - 3.0 Good

WYLIE - 3.3 Good

KEOWEE - 3.8 Good

MURRAY - 4.8 Good

MARION - 4.8 FAIR (some ramps closed - check for useable boat ramp)

MOULTRIE - 3.6 FAIR (some ramps closed - check for useable boat ramp)

Smaller lakes in South Carolina usually stay within a couple of feet of full pool elevation most of the year. No problems to report for the smaller lakes.   Please note: All lake levels are reported in feet below or above the full pool elevation of each reservoir listed. Sources: US Army Corps of Engineers, Duke Energy, and SCDNR Lake Levels. All data compiled from the websites of the sources sited.

This article compiled, written, and reported by Danny Norwood October 08, 2011. 

 
Lake Russell

Lake Wylie

Lake Marion - Santee State Park