Corps to Test Spillway Gates at Thurmond Lake this Week

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says officials will be testing the spillway gates at hydropower dams this week on the Savannah River.

The first test is tomorrow, June 13, at 1:30 p.m. at Richard B. Russell Lake Dam.  The second test will be Wednesday starting at 9 am at J. Strom Thurmond Lake Dam.  The inspection team will open all 23 spillway gates to two feet.  The test is expected to last about two hours.

The public is invited to watch, but all visitors will be required to stay out of the water downstream of the dams due to strong currents and heavy turbulence.  Officials also say drones will not be allowed near or above the dams.

"The best locations for the Thurmond Dam test are at the end of  West Dam Park Road on the Georgia side or the Below Dam Recreation Area, off Anniversary Circle on the South Carolina side," according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Due to safety concerns, drivers won't be able to park along public roads and will not be allowed to stop when crossing the dam.