Dominion Energy to release water into Saluda River to aid in swift water rescue training

Cayce, SC - Dominion Energy will release water from Lake Murray into the lower Saluda River through the Saluda Hydroelectric Plant April 13-14, 17-19, and 27-28 to provide flows needed for the Columbia Fire Department to conduct swift water rescue training.

Water will be released each day beginning as early as 5 a.m. and continuing until as late as 5 p.m. Users of the river are advised to exercise caution during that time.

“Safety is Dominion Energy’s highest priority in all that we do,” said Jim Landreth, vice president of Fossil and Hydro Operations. “Assisting our local emergency responders in swift water rescue training is a great opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to safety, as the work of first responders is vital to the communities we serve.”

Flows for these releases will be in the yellow range, as described on the Saluda River web page located at sceg.com/saludariver. The web page provides information on current and planned releases from the Saluda Hydroelectric Plant. It also features, as nearly as possible, real-time flow conditions on the river as well as links to helpful resources from the U.S. Geological Survey, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and American Whitewater.

Residents can also subscribe to an automated phone messaging system alerting them when the plant is releasing water. Go to sceg.com/saludariver, click the “register now” link and follow the instructions.