Corps of Engineers to test spillway gates at Russell Dam next week

Dam safety officials from the Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will test the spillway gates at Richard B. Russell Dam on the Savannah River next week.

On Wednesday, June 23, beginning near noon, teams will test the spillway gates at the Corps’ hydropower dam near Elberton, Georgia.

The test will last approximately 45 minutes.

Gates will open only about 1 foot. All gates may or may not be opened at one time during the test, depending on the need of the examination at the time.

The public may attend the test but must stay out of the water downstream of the dams due to strong currents and heavy turbulence. Based on past tests, crowds are expected. Social precautions should be taken.

Drones are not allowed near or above the dam, including in adjoining parks.

For the Russell Dam test, the public may park in designated areas below the dam in Georgia.

Motorists must not park on public roads or on the dam. Park rangers will direct traffic. Local authorities will enforce the “no parking and no stopping” laws on state highways.

Pedestrian access at the vehicle traffic gate will be closed. The public will not have pedestrian access to the fishing pier area due to safety and security concerns.

Restroom facilities are located at the overlook pavilion area just up the hill from the main parking area.

The address for the Russell Dam Project is 4144 Russell Dam Drive, Elberton.

The Corps of Engineers likes to regularly test the spillway gates at their dams to ensure that they are functioning properly, ensuring that the gates will open as intended if ever necessary for a flood event.

While the releases give a spectacular view, the actual effect of the releases on reservoir levels is minimal. The reservoir undergoing the test is currently above full summer levels.