Water releases from the Thurmond Dam on the Savannah River are being cut for one week beginning today. It’s being done as part of environmental studies connected to the Savannah Harbor deepening project.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wants to gauge how much -- if any -- salt water would reach municipal water intakes at the city of Savannah. It takes approximately seven days for water to move from the Thurmond Dam to the estuary of the Savannah River. Officials expect to return to normal winter operations and levels by December.
The Corps is researching a proposal to deepen the harbor by as much as six feet.
(information from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers press release)