For general information concerning Shoreline Use Permits, or to apply for a permit, please contact the Hartwell Project Office, toll free at 888-893-0678. See direct ext numbers for your shoreline mgr below. Members of the Hartwell staff are available to answer general questions, explain the process, or arrange an on-site meeting to discuss permitting options. Prospective buyers are encouraged to contact the Hartwell Dam and Lake Project Office prior to purchasing property adjacent to Hartwell Lake. Prior to calling, please have certain pertinent information readily available such as, the location and directions to the property in question (i.e. lot number, subdivision name, street address, etc.) and/or previously existing permit numbers or names of previous owners associated with the property in question. If an appointment with Hartwell staff is desired, please call approximately 2 weeks in advance of the time you wish to meet. Area 1 ext. 348 Area 2 ext. 327 Area 3 ext. 352 Area 4 ext. 332 Area 5 ext. 331 Area 6 ext. 305 Area 7 ext. 385

Part 1: Establishing the Boundary

Have you ever wondered why the distance between the shoreline and the government boundary line varies around Hartwell Lake? Well, you’re not alone! This is one of the most frequently asked questions park rangers receive from adjacent landowners. The answer to the question is relatively simple, but can be somewhat complex to explain. Simply put, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers boundary line is based on a contour or elevation. But because contours vary according to topography, so does the distance between the shoreline and the Corps boundary line. If you look at a topographical map for instance, you will notice that the contour lines are close together at some places and farther apart at others. The closer the contour lines are together, the steeper the terrain is at that location. In low-lying, flatter areas, contour lines will be farther apart. This is why the Corps boundary is generally closer to the shoreline in steeper areas of the lake and farther away in more gradually sloped areas.

I know, there are already some of you saying, “That’s not how it is in my backyard!” As is evident, this is a general description of the boundary line. Now let’s look at the historical and technical background for the establishment of the Corps line at Hartwell. Corps projects nationwide were authorized under different legislation, according to the time they were constructed.

Prior to 1953, land acquisition by the Corps projects was largely determined on a case-by-case basis. From 1953 to 1962, the Corps acquired lands primarily to
the 5-year flood stage (flood stages are estimated elevations of water bodies that could reasonably occur at specified time intervals). Lands above the flood stage
could be acquired when justified. This policy, known as the Eisenhower Policy, limited land acquisition to that required for operational purposes. Hartwell Lake was authorized as an Eisenhower project. The 5-year flood stage for Hartwell is 665 ft mean sea level (msl). The elevation at the top of the floodgates
is also 665 ft msl while the elevation of the earthen embankments is 674 ft msl. In a worst-case scenario, considering the inflow and outflow of water into the reservoir, Hartwell Lake could reach 674 ft msl. The 150-year flood stage is 668 ft msl and the 1000-year flood stage is 670 ft msl. Based on this information and the topography of the area, the prescribed purchase boundary for the Hartwell Project was set at elevation 670 ft msl.

Does this mean that the Corps line concisely follows the 670 ft msl contour? The
answer is NO! The 670 ft elevation was used as a basis or standard for establishing the Corps line. By using aerial photos and topographical maps, ground crews placed iron pins and concrete monuments at elevations intended to include land required for operational purposes. With few exceptions such as roads and creeks, the Corps boundary line runs in straight lines from one corner pin or monument to another. Because the Corps line runs straight from pin to
pin, the distance between the shoreline and the Corps boundary varies more so than a true contour line. In summary, the Corps boundary line was determined by congressional criteria based on flood possibilities and operational needs.

Part 2: Maintaining the Boundary

The boundary line around Hartwell Lake is simply a property line that designates the land purchased for the purpose of the Hartwell Project. Just as your property line delineates the property you are responsible for, the Corps boundary line delineates the land the Corps of Engineers is responsible for. As is the case with most private property, the Corps boundary is established with “monuments” – iron pins and concrete posts.

The Hartwell Project has 840 miles of boundary line designated by 9800 monuments. The line has been established by survey with each monument identified by coordinates (latitude and longitude). Additionally, each pin and monument is assigned a specific “pin number” and mapped accordingly.

The markings most familiar to adjacent landowners, in relation to the Corps line, are the orange marks on trees around the lake. These painted trees DO NOT designate the exact line, but rather “witness” or mark the general proximity of the boundary line. There are four separate symbols used that represent different information.

A brochure is available from the Hartwell Lake Office explaining these markings and their meanings. These markings have two primary purposes – to inform lake users and adjacent landowners of the approximate Corps line location.

Why is it important that adjacent landowners know where the Corps line is located? As stewards of the public land around Hartwell Lake, it is the Corps responsibility to maintain and protect the land that has been entrusted to us. Part of this stewardship includes annual surveys of the Corps line to identify
and resolve encroachments and to reestablish missing or damaged monuments. An encroachment is a structure or improvement that extends over, across, in or upon Corps managed land that has not been approved. Encroachment resolution typically requires the removal of the encroaching structure. Knowing where your property lines are – including the common boundary you share with the Corps – can prevent costly corrections. To prevent the possibilities of encroachments, we encourage all adjacent landowners to have their property surveyed by registered land surveyors prior to constructing homes, outbuildings, or any other improvements. Surveys should tie into the established Corps boundary. Park rangers are available (by appointment) to meet on-site to discuss the Corps boundary and provide documented boundary line information.

www.sas.usace.army.mil/lakes/hartwell

Hartwell Power plant is referred to as a “peaking” plant – which means the power plant is designed to supply dependable power during hours of “peak” daily demand. In addition to being a very clean energy source, another major advantage of hydropower is the availability to come “on-line” (begin producing power) within a few minutes. Other types of power plants such as nuclear and fossil fuels often take several hours, at which point the peak demand has often passed. This ability to virtually produce power on demand during peak periods helps to reduce energy shortages (especially during the summer months) and makes hydropower, and the Hartwell Power plant, an exceptional resource.

Hydroelectric power is produced when water from Hartwell Lake flows through the intake section of the dam by large pipes called “penstocks”. The penstocks are located approximately 100 ft. below the surface of the reservoir. Water flows through these 24 ft. in diameter penstocks at a rate of 2 – 3 million gallons per minute when generating. The force of the water rotates the “turbines” which resemble large water wheels or fan blades. The rotating turbine causes the 41-inch diameter generator shaft to spin, which then causes the rotor to turn (the rotor is a series of magnets where the magnetic field is created). The rotor turns inside the “stator” – a stationary part of the generator made of copper coils of wire called “windings”. Electricity is produced as the rotor spins past (inside of) these windings. The generators create electricity in the form of volts. By means of transformers, the electric current produced is “stepped up” or increased in voltage from 13,800 volts to 230,000 volts for transmission to power companies or decreased in voltage for use in power plant operations. Water used in generating the power is discharged into the river below the dam, where it can be “reused” for additional purposes such as water supply and water quality needs of the Savannah River Basin.

Where Does the Power Go? Power produced at Hartwell and all other Corps operated power plants in the southeast, is marketed by the Department of Energy’s Southeastern Power Administration (SEPA). Power is sold through SEPA to private power companies and public cooperatives in the Southeastern U.S. and from there to customers of those companies. Although electricity is not sold directly to the consumer, the underlying goal of all Corps hydroelectric projects is to provide power to consumers at the lowest possible rates. Rates are set by the marketing agency and approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Revenue from Corps power plants is returned to the U.S. Treasury.

Courtesy US Corp of Engineers