As part of the harbor expansion in Savannah the Corps proposed that a fish ladder be put in around the Augusta Lock and Dam so short nosed sturgeon can get to the rapids north of Augusta for spawning. If built, this would be the first time the sturgeon have been able to get north of the lock and dam since 1937. One glaring problem with this is that releases from Thurmond Dam determine water levels and flows through the rapids which will have an impact on spawning. Given the fact that Fish and Wildlife have a direct line to the Corps on operation of the Savannah River Basin this will most likely be very problematic on setting release rates from Thurmond Dam. To the point, lake levels will become a secondary consideration to flows through the rapids and be negatively impacted by the installation of the fish ladder. Jerry Clontz who represents Save Our Lakes Now on the Savannah River Basin Advisory Council sent in the comment copied below. The easiest way to submit comments is via email. The address is cesas-pd@usace.army.mil.
All lake stakeholders should be up in arms about the fish passage. What the Corps is trying to do is allow short nosed sturgeon up and past the lock and dam so they can spawn in the river near Thurmond Dam. This will suddenly become the controlling factor for releases from the dam in order to optimize spawning conditions. It makes no sense to destroy recreation with further restrictions on level control at the lakes when you consider that these fish have not been able to get past the lock and dam since the lock and dam were built.
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