UPDATE ON LOCK & DAM ISSUES
The Corps of Engineers Savannah District recently staged a drawdown simulation of the effects to the river levels in downtown Augusta and North Augusta as projected by current plans for the fish passage at New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam. SRK patrolled the river daily to record depth readings and visual and photo evidence of the effects. We aired a live feed each day to share the reality of the levels with the public. Check those out on our Facebook page and a few photos by Brian Phillips below.  

SRK received feedback from citizens, many of whom were dissatisfied and concerned with effects to riverfront aesthetics, property including docks and retaining walls, and access for recreation. SRK does not support the current proposed option. We are reviewing the draft report and working with people in the community to provide informed comments within the required period. Our goal is to help ensure that the chosen option is adapted to meet the concerns and interest of our communities. Read on to learn more about SRK's position and plan for comment. ​

COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED TO APRIL 16
The Corps of Engineers has announced an extension of the original 30-day public comment period for the Lock & Dam—the deadline is now April 16 at 4:00pm to submit comments. The Corps will give more serious consideration to comments that are technical and as factually accurate as possible. Submissions can include photos of areas of concern; testimonials about impacts to your property and/or recreation access; and background on your experience/credentials. The public can submit comments two ways:

• By mail: Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning Division, ATTN: Ms. Robin Armetta (PM-P), 100 West Oglethorpe Avenue, Savannah, Georgia 31401-3604
• By email: CESAS-PD@usace.army.mil

A decision is expected by August 2019; the project must begin work by 2021.

PUBLIC MEETING INFO 
The Corps of Engineers will hold an interactive workshop on Wednesday, March 6 from from 4:00-6:00pm in the Lamar Room of the Augusta Marriott (at the Convention Center), 2 10th Street, Augusta, Georgia. There you can learn more about the report, ask questions of Savannah District officials, and submit verbal comments for the record. 

SRK STANCE - SIGN THE PETITION TO SHOW SUPPORT
Our goal is to help ensure that the chosen option meets local concerns. We are formally requesting that the chosen option: 

• Successfully implements fish passage at the same level or better;
• Does not degrade, destroy or damage the potential for improvement at the adjacent Lock & Dam Park;
• Includes safe passage for public use of non-motorized boats through or around the structure, as well as fishing access, and;
• Leaves water levels significantly higher than the Feb. 2019 test drawdown, lowering the pool no more than 1 foot.

Our recommendations are realistic, taxpayer-friendly, and a compromise for all parties, we believe it's our best chance at a result that will preserve the Savannah River for today and improve it for the generations to come. 

By Jacob Oblander, SRK Outreach Coordinator ​

By guest blogger Truck Carlson, VCW Program Coordinator

Having launched the Veterans for Clean Water program officially just 5 months ago, we have certainly come a long way. Our Veteran Volunteers collected well over 300 water samples throughout the watershed, testing for bacteria levels. We created and maintained data on the Swim Guide app and website on a weekly basis, which allowed the public to access information about the water quality at their favorite swimming and boating spots in the watershed. We worked directly with Ironman staff to ensure the water quality was safe for swimmers for the event. On regular cleanups and outings, we collected more than 300 tires and many hundreds of pounds of trash. While ending our water sampling portion of the program in late September, we are now moving on to restoration.

There are two major projects that SRK's Veteran Volunteers are spearheading. One is the restoration of Butler Creek in South Augusta. The goal is to remove the debris along the creek from Deans Bridge Road all the way to the outflow into the Savannah at Lock and Dam. The end result will be to return Butler Creek to a usable recreational waterway. This will be a daunting project and will require a great amount of effort from the volunteers as well as collaborating with the City of Augusta.

The second project we are taking on is the deployment of three trash-catch systems at critical points in the watershed, thanks to WaterGoat. We expect to receive them in early November and deploy them shortly after. Once deployed, our Veteran Volunteers will maintain them and remove trash on a weekly basis, or as needed after a rain event.

On November 14, SRK is hosting a dinner cruise aboard the Patriot Riverboat highlighting our program. This will be a fundraising event focused on the growing work that Veterans For Clean Water is involved in. We would like anyone who is interested in supporting this program, or even those who want to learn more about getting involved, to join us. For more information, please see the event on Facebook and RSVP to attend. 

I am truly thankful for everyone who has supported this program from its inception and
continue to support the program as we move forward. This program is proving to have a huge, positive impact for OUR river, OUR community, and OUR Veteran Volunteers!

And don't forget to like us on Facebook, catch my weekly live feed videos, and share with your friends and colleagues! 

-Truck

HURRICANE FLORENCE NEWS: 
The NHC has confirmed that Hurricane Florence is now likely to make landfall near Myrtle Beach, SC by this weekend as a Category 2. 

Hurricane Florence is approaching the Southeast U.S. coast as an extremely dangerous, major hurricane. The latest forecast brings the center of the storm near the coastal Carolinas on Friday, then Florence could stall or drift slowly southwest to west over the weekend. Regardless of the exact path, impacts will extend well away from the center and into both central South Carolina and eastern Georgia this weekend with the worst conditions expected Friday night into at least Sunday, although impacts could linger longer depending on the uncertain evolution and track.

The main threatening impact in the region may be a prolonged heavy rainfall event with associated flooding through early next week. Storm surges as high as 9 feet and rainfall of as much as 40 inches in some spots are predicted if conditions fall into place. This rainfall would produce catastrophic flash flooding and prolonged significant river flooding. Rivers and tributaries may quickly become swollen with swifter currents and overspill their banks. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may overflow. An extended period of tropical storm force winds is also possible. 

Coastal evacuations should be well under way and emergency plans should be in place by now. Watch the video from your Savannah Riverkeeper for tips on how to stay safe.
FORECAST AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT UPDATES:
This is a rapidly changing and potentially life-threatening situation. Please stay up to date by following these pages: 

NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center
US National Weather Service Columbia South Carolina
South Carolina Emergency Management Division
Georgia Emergency Management Agency
US National Weather Service Southeast River Forecast Center
Local Government Pages such as Chatham Emergency Management Agency

ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information from the state of South Carolina see scemd.org
- For information from the state of Georgia see gema.ga.gov
CLICK HERE to see a map of USGS rain gauges throughout the basin.

If you get good photos of flooding, damage, or high water around the watershed, click here to drop them in this folder, with your name and the location in the filename. 

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Press Release
May 29, 2018 - COLUMBIA, SC - The S.C. Drought Response Committee met Tuesday via conference call to update the drought statuses of all counties in South Carolina.

Above average rainfall totals across much of the state during the month of May, along with improving numbers across a range of indicators, prompted members of the Committee to vote unanimously to change the drought status of 13 counties from “incipient” to “normal.” The counties that were removed from the first level of drought (incipient stage) included Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, Dorchester, Edgefield, Hampton, Lexington, McCormick, Richland, and Saluda. 

“The last time the entire state was drought-free was July 8, 2016,” said S.C. State Climatologist Hope Mizzell.

The weather pattern across South Carolina for the month of May began with warm and dry conditions. However, the weather pattern changed during the second half of the month, according to Leonard Vaughan, Senior Hydrologist/Meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

“A persistent trough of low pressure produced a moist, southerly flow, which increased rainfall coverage,” said Vaughn. “This, combined with the additional moisture from Sub-Tropical Storm Alberto, brought even more beneficial rainfall. Over the past fourteen days, rainfall across South Carolina, has ranged from 200 to 600 percent above normal, with totals from 3 to 12 inches.”

“Recent rainfall, along with higher humidity, has helped reduce the number of wildfires statewide,” added Brad Bramlett, Rural Fire Coordinator with the S.C Forestry Commission. “This was very much needed, since we were well above our 5- and 10-year averages for the number of fires just a month ago.”​

The above normal rainfalls over the past several weeks have also significantly improved streamflow levels across the state. All of the state’s major reservoirs are now at or near their target levels for this time of year, reported South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Senior Hydrologist Scott Harder. “According to the latest available data, lake levels and stream flows across the state are in good shape now,” said Harder. “Overall groundwater levels look good as well.”
​
These improved conditions supported moving all counties that were previously in an incipient drought status to a no drought (normal) status. The committee will continue to monitor the weather and will meet again as conditions warrant. More information about drought conditions and drought policy in South Carolina is available via the new and improved South Carolina Drought Portal at www.scdrought.com