Demand Congress Expedite the Clemson Dike Repair & Protect Property Owners

Lake Hartwell property owners and communities should not have to pay the price for a problem that could take 5–10+ years to fix.

On August 26, 2026, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that Lake Hartwell’s normal operating guide curve will be lowered to 656 feet above mean sea level year-round because of safety concerns involving seepage at the Clemson Lower Diversion Dam Saddle Dike.

Historically, Lake Hartwell’s summer target has been approximately 660 feet.

That means even after the current drought ends and rainfall returns, Lake Hartwell will not simply be allowed to return to its traditional summer full-pool level. The Corps intends to manage the lake around a 656-foot year-round guide curve until a permanent solution is completed.

Even more concerning, the Army Corps says this restriction is expected to remain for multiple years. The required Dam Safety Modification Study alone may take up to two years, and subsequent design, federal funding approval, and construction could potentially take 5–10 years or more.

Lake Hartwell cannot be expected to simply live with this for the next decade.

We recognize that public safety must come first. If the Clemson Saddle Dike requires repair, then it needs to be repaired.

But the answer cannot simply be to lower Lake Hartwell and leave surrounding homeowners, businesses, and communities dealing with the consequences for years while the federal process slowly moves forward.

FOUR FEET OF WATER MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE

The difference between 660 feet and 656 feet may not sound significant to someone who does not live on or regularly use Lake Hartwell.

For those who do, it can mean the difference between having water beneath a dock and having a dock sitting over dry ground.

It can mean shallow coves becoming inaccessible.

It can mean boat ramps closing.

It can mean designated swimming areas becoming unusable.

It can mean reduced boating, fishing and recreational opportunities.

And it can affect the businesses and communities that depend on Lake Hartwell tourism.

AND WHAT ABOUT OUR PROPERTY TAXES?

This is one of the questions Lake Hartwell property owners deserve to have answered.

If government action substantially reduces usable lake access for potentially years, why should lakefront homeowners continue paying property taxes based on property values that assume normal lake access?

People pay a premium to own property on Lake Hartwell.

Lakefront homes and lots can command higher values specifically because of their location, docks, shoreline access and recreational opportunities.

If a dock that was usable under normal lake conditions becomes unusable or sits over dry land because the federal government is intentionally maintaining a substantially lower guide curve, that change can affect one of the primary benefits associated with owning that property.

We understand that counties—not the Army Corps of Engineers—set property assessments and collect property taxes.

That is exactly why our elected officials need to get involved.

Federal, state and local officials need to work together to determine how an extended federally imposed lake-level restriction affects lakefront property values and whether affected property owners should have a clear process for reassessment or other appropriate relief.

THIS AFFECTS MORE THAN HOMEOWNERS

Lake Hartwell is an economic engine for northeast Georgia and upstate South Carolina.

Think about every business that depends on people using this lake:

Marinas.

Restaurants.

Campgrounds.

Hotels.

Vacation rentals.

Boat dealers.

Fishing guides and tournaments.

Real estate agents.

Dock builders.

Repair businesses.

Gas stations.

Convenience stores.

Tourism businesses.

Local governments.

When fewer people can use the lake, the economic consequences spread throughout our communities.

WE ARE ASKING CONGRESS TO ACT NOW

We, the undersigned, call upon the United States Senators and Members of Congress representing Georgia and South Carolina to work together and:

1. EXPEDITE THE CLEMSON SADDLE DIKE REPAIR

Provide the funding, resources and congressional oversight necessary to move the study, engineering, environmental review, design and construction forward as quickly and safely as possible.

We should not accept a 5–10+ year process if additional federal resources can shorten it.

2. REQUIRE A CLEAR PUBLIC TIMELINE

The Army Corps should publish specific milestones for completing the study, selecting a repair, obtaining funding, beginning construction, completing construction and restoring normal Lake Hartwell operations.

3. REQUIRE A TRANSPARENT REVIEW OF THE 656-FOOT RESTRICTION

The public deserves to understand exactly why 656 feet was selected and whether any safe alternatives could allow higher seasonal water levels while the permanent repair is underway.

4. ADDRESS PROPERTY VALUES AND PROPERTY TAXES

Congressional representatives should bring federal, Georgia, South Carolina and affected county officials together to address the financial impact on lakefront homeowners.

Property owners whose usable lake access is substantially diminished for years should have a clear way to request reassessment or other appropriate relief.

5. REQUIRE A FULL ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY

Determine what a prolonged restriction will cost surrounding communities in lost tourism, property values, real estate activity, business revenue, employment and local tax revenue.

6. PROTECT ACCESS TO LAKE HARTWELL

Develop temporary solutions wherever practical to keep boat ramps, docks, marinas and recreational facilities accessible during the restriction.

7. KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED

Lake Hartwell residents deserve regular public meetings, published engineering information, funding updates and measurable progress reports until the permanent repair is completed.

FIX THE PROBLEM — DON’T MAKE LAKE HARTWELL LIVE WITH IT FOR A DECADE.

We are not asking the Army Corps to compromise public safety.

We are asking our government to treat fixing the problem with the same urgency being used to lower the lake.

Lake Hartwell belongs to an entire region. Its water supports recreation, tourism, businesses, property values and communities across Georgia and South Carolina.

If the Clemson Saddle Dike is deteriorating, then fund the solution and fix it.

Do not simply lower Lake Hartwell and ask surrounding communities to accept the economic consequences for potentially the next 5, 10 or more years.

OUR MESSAGE TO CONGRESS:

Fix the dike.

Expedite the funding.

Restore Lake Hartwell.

Protect property owners.

Address the property-tax impact.

Protect our local businesses and communities.

And give the public a firm timeline for getting our lake back to normal.

SIGN THIS PETITION if you own property on Lake Hartwell, use Lake Hartwell, operate a business that depends on the lake, or simply believe our elected officials should act urgently to protect one of Georgia and South Carolina’s most important resources.

SAVE LAKE HARTWELL.

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