Santee Cooper to Begin Controlled Spilling at Santee Dam

Posted January 16, 2020  |   Media Contact

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – Heavy rainfall throughout the area increased inflows to the Santee Cooper Lakes system. To manage lake levels, Santee Cooper will begin a controlled spilling operation on Friday, Jan. 17, at the Santee Dam on Lake Marion. 

The spill is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. at a rate of 15,000 cubic feet of water per second (or about 6.75 million gallons per minute) into the Santee River, and the operation will continue until further notice.

Santee Cooper’s dams and dikes are secure. Spilling is a normal part of Santee Cooper’s hydroelectric operations in periods of increased inflows into the lakes. Information will also be updated each business day on the lakes’ information line, 1-800-92LAKES.