Hartwell Lake Restrictions Keep Clemson Saddle Dike Repairs in Focus

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Savannah District has outlined interim risk-reduction measures for seepage at the Clemson Lower Diversion Dam Saddle Dike on Hartwell Lake. Its September public-meeting announcement says lake-level restrictions will remain until a long-term engineering solution is designed and built.

The Corps scheduled a September 23 virtual meeting to discuss seepage, pool restrictions and the associated flood-risk issues. The notice emphasizes that interim operations and permanent engineering work are separate parts of the response.

The announcement does not establish a final repair design, construction award or completion date. Those future decisions will determine the scope and delivery path for the permanent solution.

Infraday analysis

Reservoir operations can reduce risk while owners investigate and develop repairs, but restrictions also make long-term asset condition a visible community issue. For resilience planners, the case illustrates the need to connect monitoring, temporary operating measures and permanent capital work. Engineering findings and procurement decisions will be the key milestones for assessing the eventual repair program.

Source: USACE Savannah District September 2026 public-meeting announcement.

Featured photograph: Hartwell Dam, archival photograph. The Clemson Lower Diversion Dam Saddle Dike is not pictured. Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Public domain. Image may be resized or cropped for display.