Staff Report
Published Aug. 27, 2012

Owners and operators of reservoirs throughout South Carolina should check their dams immediately, and during the next several days for possible problems caused by heavy rainfall, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control announced.

Remnants of Hurricane Isaac could impact the region, according to the National Weather Service. A cold front moving into central South Carolina Wednesday may cause periods of heavy rainfall as it interacts with tropical moisture, the service said. This could lead to isolated flooding in some areas.

"Owners who have the ability to lower their reservoir’s water level should safely do so to provide additional storage for the anticipated rainfall," said John Poole, with DHEC’s dam safety program. "If there is a dam downstream of your dam and you are lowering your water level, please contact the owners of the downstream dam and advise of your actions. Before and after the storm has passed, any accumulated trash and debris should be cleared from spillways.”

If problems occur with the dam, the owner or operator should contact downstream property owners and local public safety officials.

For more information, visit DHEC’s website.