Santee Cooper begins spilling as water from North Carolina flooding moves in Lake Marion

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Water from recent heavy rainfall in South Carolina’s Upstate and North Carolina is heading downstream into Lake Marion and area rivers.

Santee Cooper began drawing down the lake last week in anticipation of the near-historic water flows and said it would increase the volume of spilling to help manage levels.

Nearly 1,000,000 gallons per second is currently coming out of the Santee Cooper spillway in Pineville and will continue over the next few days.

“Right now, we’re currently looking at is we’re spilling water out of Lake Marion to make room for the water that’s going to be flowing down from North Carolina,” explained John Brush with Santee Cooper. “With the flooding up there, the water has to go somewhere. So, it’s going to come down into the Santee Cooper water system and into Lake Marion.”

The water level at Harry’s Fish Camp is low.

“It’s the oldest camp that’s been on the water. We’ve been established since 1943,” said Paula Edwards, a manager at Harry’s Fish Camp. “One of the guys that I work with has been here for 27 years and said this is the first time that you cannot unload on my boat ramps.”

That means no business there until the water rises, which will happen soon.

“We’re expecting water to be coming down this way at about 2,000,000 gallons per second and what we’re at right now is roughly just under 1,000,000 gallons per second, said Brush.

Lake levels will rise to normal levels over the next 24-48 hours; however, some Santee River area flooding will occur.

“We’re likely to see similar effects in Georgetown County like we did when we had massive spills in 2015 and 2020,” he added.

Santee Cooper said flooding will be more significant in areas closer to U.S. Highway 17 and that they are working with local and state authorities to manage any related issues.

Residents within the Santee River floodplain are encouraged to remain alert and use caution in traveling through the area.

Edwards said while this might impact their business, they are glad Santee Cooper is taking action, and this problem is nothing compared to the areas devastated by Helene.

“Just pray for them and they get the help they need, and all the people that’s missing because the water going down here, yeah, it impacts us, but nothing like what it has them,” she said.

Spilling will continue until further notice. It depends on how much water moves into the Lowcountry region.