Is Lake Hartwell low right now? Yes. The last reading when this page was built was 647.73 ft (Nov 1, 2026, 10:00 AM ET), 8.3 ft under the 656 ft interim target and 12.3 ft under the old 660 ft full pool. The box above updates live.
The gauge reading loads live from the U.S. Geological Survey. If it says "Check the USGS gauge", the feed didn't answer; the link goes straight to the source.
Why the lake is lower now: the 656 ft limit
On August 26, 2026, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it would cap Lake Hartwell because of seepage and erosion at the Clemson Lower Diversion Dam Saddle Dike. The new interim target is 656 feet above sea level, year-round. In heavy rain the lake may reach 662 feet, then the Corps draws it back to 656.
Before this, the guide curve ran about 660 feet in summer and 656 in winter. So summer now looks like winter used to.
How long: the Corps says a Dam Safety Modification Study takes up to two years, and design and construction could take 5 to 10 or more years after that. Its own estimate is that the lake won't return to full pool for about a decade. The Corps held a virtual public meeting in September and said in-person sessions would follow.
And it's dry on top of that
The cap is a ceiling, not a floor. Drought kept Hartwell below 656 when the cap was announced, and in May 2026 the lake was already more than 7 feet below full pond. The Corps warned then about dry coves and hazards just under the surface.
What today's level means for paddlers
| Level | What to expect |
|---|---|
| 662 ft | Most the Corps will allow under the interim plan, and only in heavy rain. |
| 657 ft and up | Designated swim beaches can operate (each park still decides). |
| Below 657 ft | Designated swim beaches generally can't be used. Tugaloo State Park's swim area is already closed for low water. |
| 656 ft | The new target. Most ramps should work; some shallow ramps may close. |
| Below 656 ft | Drought territory. Expect more shallow ramps out of service, dry coves, exposed stumps and shoals. Check the Corps ramp status page before you load up. |
Low-water paddling tips
- Check the ramp first. As of Nov 1, 2026, 9 Corps ramps are closed and 5 more have lanes closed: see which, or the Corps' live status list.
- Go slow near shore and in the backs of coves. That's where stumps and rock show up first when the water drops.
- Wear shoes you can walk in mud with. Low water means a longer walk from the parking lot to the water.
- A kayak doesn't need a ramp. If a ramp is closed, a sand beach or a gentle bank in the same park may still work for a boat you can carry. Park only in marked spaces.
About the numbers
The live reading comes from USGS gauge 02187010, "Hartwell Lake near Anderson, SC." USGS reports that gauge in the NAVD88 datum, while the Corps reports lake levels in NGVD29, so the two numbers may not match exactly. The record low, per Wikipedia, was 637.49 ft (December 9, 2008).
Sources
- Fox 5 Atlanta: Hartwell Lake won't be the same (Sept 14, 2026)
- Fox Carolina: water level restrictions announced (Aug 26, 2026)
- Fox Carolina: low water before Memorial Day (May 21, 2026)
- Fox Carolina: virtual meeting on low water (Sept 24, 2026)
- USACE: Status of Corps boat ramps, Hartwell Lake
- USGS 02187010: Hartwell Lake near Anderson, SC
- Georgia State Parks: Tugaloo State Park
- Wikipedia: Lake Hartwell
Checked November 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Questions
Why is Lake Hartwell so low?
Two reasons. Since August 2026 the Corps of Engineers has held the lake at a 656 ft target (it may reach 662 ft only in heavy rain) because of seepage at the Clemson Lower Diversion Dam Saddle Dike, and drought has kept it below even that this year.
When will Lake Hartwell be back to full pool?
The Corps estimates about a decade: a safety study takes up to two years, then design and construction could take 5 to 10 or more years.
Are the swim beaches open at Lake Hartwell?
Designated swim beaches generally can't be used below 657 ft, which is above the new 656 ft target. Check the live level on this page and call the park.