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Heavy rainfall delays Lake Murray drawdown

Staff Report //January 9, 2019//

Heavy rainfall delays Lake Murray drawdown

Staff Report //January 9, 2019//

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Heavy rainfall has delayed a drawdown of Lake Murray, which was scheduled to reach a targeted elevation in the 350-foot range — down from its normal elevation of 358 feet — by mid-December 2018.

S.C. Electric and Gas said in a news release it expects the lake’s water level to continue to rise during the next week and will begin lowering it as soon as conditions allow. The news release said the lake level will likely remain in the 350-foot range until the end of January and return to its normal level by spring.

“We’ve had an unusually active rain period which has decelerated the process of drawing down the lake,” Jim Landreth, vice president of fossil and hydro plant operations, said in a news release. “However, I’m confident we’ll reach the drawdown level so unwanted sediments can be pushed deeper into the lake, growth of nuisance aquatic vegetation will be reduced, and residents and businesses can make any necessary dock repairs or shoreline improvements.”

The public will have access to the lake during the low-water period, though boaters are advised to use caution as areas will become shallow and not be marked.

For more information, call 803-217-9221.