Drought affecting tourism along upper Savannah River basin

The drought and dropping lake levels have affected tourism in eastern Georgia.

J. Strom Thurmond Lake, in Clarks Hill, South Carolina, near Augusta, typically draws about six million tourists a year. It is one of the largest and most popular of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers parks in the country.

But lake levels are about eight feet lower since this time last summer, making the lake less attractive and recreation potentially more dangerous.

And, about 15 of the lake's 33 boat ramps are closed.

"There are a lot fewer people in the picnic areas. There's almost no one using the swim beaches because all of those beaches are out of the water," says Jay Weidman, a park ranger at the lake.

The drought has left tree stumps and rocks exposed, affecting boaters. Swimmers outside of the "swim beaches" need to watch for drop offs, holes and stumps.

"Probably the biggest word to remember is common sense," says Weidman. "Keep your wits about you when you're out there and don't do something crazy."

The number of campers in the park next to the lake remains steady.

The lake is a part of the upper Savannah River basin. It's level hovered at 316.14 feet above sea level on Tuesday. Lake Hartwell, which is also located along the Savannah, dropped to 646 feet on Monday, triggering a more serious drought designation for the area by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The designation moved from level two to level three.

Officials urge caution for people using the lakes along the Savannah River.