The Army Corps of Engineers has raised the drought level on three lakes on the Georgia-South Carolina state line.

The Anderson Independent-Mail reported that corps officials have reduced water discharges from the three reservoirs on the Savannah River.

Corps manager Stan Simpson says water levels on lakes Hartwell, Russell and Thurmond are expected to decline over the next several weeks unless there is a tropical system.

The reduction in water flow through the Thurmond Lake dam will reduce the amount of electricity generated by the dam but will conserve more water in the reservoirs.

The corps says water levels will be ample for fishing, boating and skiing on the lakes during the Labor Day weekend. But officials warn that underwater obstacles will be closer to the surface.

Tags: water, Lake Hartwell, Reservoirs, Lake Thurmond, rain, Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Russell