Editor:
In addition to The News-Times editorial of March 4, WJBF News Channel 6 also did a story on Clarks Hill Lake on March 3. Both stories/opinions about the lake were definitely on a positive note, but what bothers me is that it painted such a rosy picture.
It showed that the lake levels rose, giving the impression that the problem is over. That is not the case. Yes, the water rose during the weekend, but that was because we had such a substantial rain. Even with all the rain the dam was still releasing water, which I witnessed on Sunday when we drove up there. The river was overflowing its banks but the water was still being released.
Yes, the water level has increased, but what I'm afraid of is that to keep the levels up and preferably at the average level, we will need rainfall every weekend for the next six weeks as the ranger on the news story mentioned. What is the anticipated rainfall for this area in the up coming months? With the El Nino or El Nina whatever it is called, is the projected rainfall going to be what we need? If not, the water in the lake will again decrease while the water will also still be pumped out.
Recently on talk radio, they had someone from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stated that he is controlled by the federal government and subgroups within the federal government. They are the ones who state what must be released from the dam. He had stated that his hands are tied and that he has no control of this. So who is telling the truth here? They keep talking about keeping everyone down river supplied with water.
Also, we are keeping the water levels in the river up so the sturgeons that spawn one month out of the year and a little yellow flower along the bank survives. (Again, according to the gentleman from the Corps of Engineers.) What about the people who count on the lake to make a living? What will happen to them? Has anyone talked to them as to how this is affecting their way of life? ...
Why is Clarks Hill the only lake that they are taking water from? Why isn't Lake Russell or Lake Hartwell used to help supply Clarks Hill and in return keeping the Savannah River supplied?
... Driving around the lake on Sunday was extremely disheartening. The lake is in such bad shape and I don't feel enough is being done about it. I had written to U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, and as of this date have no answer. It seems to me this situation needs to be taken more seriously before it is too late.
Laura Richard
Martinez
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