Outflows from Savannah River near Augusta are reduced

Georgia's continuing drought is causing the U-S Army Corps of Engineers to reduce the amount of water flowing down the Savannah River near Augusta.

The outflow reductions from Thurmond Dam began Monday.

Officials hope the reductions will conserve water.

"We are predicting that this drought will extend further into 2009, and we may not see any relief for a while yet," says Billy Birdwell, a spokesman for the Corps.

The flows now fall to 3100 cubic feet per second, below the 3600 that's typically required as a minimum by Georgia and South Carolina.

The drop could possibly affect the shortnose sturgeon, an endangered species.

It also means a reduction in the amount of electricity produced by municipalities and electric cooperatives. To deal with that issue, the utilities have bought power from outside sources.

The reductions last only through January, and may continue through February, depending on how the sturgeon are affected.