LAKE HARTWELL - Lake Level High

Once before we have had heavy rains and the lake rose several feet. But not like the rains in 2004! The lake level rose about 5-6' and 4' of that was in the day after Hurricane Francis came though. It rained so hard and so fast that we didn't have time to roll the dock in. The morning after Francis we awoke to find the gangway underwater.

The previous week's rain and wind pushed the dock to its left about 20' and we found it parallel to the shore. Jeanne volunteered to "wade" out to the dock and roll it in to a more normal position (David's back was in bad shape and couldn't do it).

The dock rolled in nicely, thank goodness. But then the end of the gangway was underwater after the next rain. Jeanne waded out to see if she could roll in in further and managed a few more feet. But then, coming back to dry land there was a problem. How deep was the water at the end of the gangway which was still under water? It was found to be just above her knees.

With all the heavy rain the lake was a deep redish color due to the run off from the area. Most of the Anderson area is on dark red clay and it is a problem when it rains. Anyone building in the area must put up "run-off fences" which are 3' high plastic sheets staked to prevent the run-off my getting outside the building area.\

Recall that the tree leaning to the left was some 10 yards from the end of the dock in 2003 when the lake was just starting to come up.

It only takes about a week for the silt to settle down and the water to become a "nicer" color. However, the silt will, over time, fill up the lake or at least our little cove. We figure we have until about 2020 before there is nothing but a small stream behind us even when Hartwell Lake is at full pond of 660'. But only time will tell.

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