MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – Increased rainfall in the Santee Cooper watershed and upstream lake operations has resulted in increased inflows into the Santee Cooper Lake system. Due to elevated lake levels, the St. Stephen hydro units have been operating around the clock since Aug. 3. Santee Cooper anticipates that it will begin spill operations at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
The flow will begin at a rate of 10,000 cubic feet of water per second (or about 4.48 million gallons per minute) into the Santee River to keep lake levels below the FERC operating license maximum elevation. The operation will continue until further notice.
System Operations will continue to monitor rainfall projections and inflows into the Santee Cooper Lake system and provide updates as conditions change.
Santee Cooper’s dams and dikes are secure. Spilling is a normal part of Santee Cooper’s hydroelectric operations in periods of increased inflows into the lakes. Information will also be updated each business day on the lakes’ information line, 1-800-92LAKES.