Decision to come soon on lake flow reduction

Greenville, S.C. —- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says a decision could come soon on whether to reduce the flow of water from lakes on the South Carolina-Georgia border.

South Carolina and Georgia have asked for a reduction in water flow through the Thurmond Lake dam through February to conserve water in the upper lakes.

Corps spokesman Billy Birdwell said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fishery Service on Friday endorsed the plan to restrict the flow, but only through January.

The decision had been expected Thursday.

Many upstate areas are under water restrictions because of the drought, but downstream users say the current flow is needed to keep saltwater out of freshwater intakes for Beaufort and Savannah, as well as the Plant Vogtle nuclear power facility near Augusta.