Rain helps lake, but now Corps won't

The last few months have been like manna from heaven for recreation-lovers and residents of Clarks Hill Lake. Plentiful rain finally broke the local areas persistent drought, bringing the lake back up to full pool for the first time in four years.

Before the rain fell, citizens had become increasingly irritated by what they saw as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mishandling of river flows that kept the lake perpetually drained. Those low water levels hit the areas economy hard, hurting lakefront businesses and boat dealers.

After a series of public meetings, though, the Corps agreed that it needed to cut down on the amount of water running though Clarks Hill Dam during dry spells. The drought contingency plan would reduce Savannah River flows, but it would help prevent the lake from becoming a summertime mud-hole.

Alas, even though the lake is back at full pool and made the drought little more than a memory, the Corps has changed its mind. Another government agency complained about the drought plans possible effect on ecosystems at the mouth of the Savannah River, and the Corps reneged on the proposal that it had only recently presented to local residents.

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So what else is new? Its like the rain: Our area already knew that what the good Lord giveth, the Corps draineth away.