Hartwell Lake Water Level
South Carolina · updated daily from the U.S. Geological Survey
651.79 ft
Hartwell Lake is low for this time of year and falling (-0.45 ft in the last 7 days).
Change since yesterday: -0.16 ft
Reading as of 2026-08-14 · higher than 9% of August readings on record
Where Hartwell Lake sits historically
Today's level compared with every reading in our 21.4-year record for this lake.
Since yesterday
-0.16 ft
7-day change
-0.45 ft
30-day change
-0.53 ft
1-year change
-6.45 ft
Last 30 days
Last 12 months
Full history (21.4 years)
Hartwell Lake records and averages
| Current level | 651.79 ft |
|---|---|
| Record high | 664.85 ft (2016-01-05) |
| Record low | 637.61 ft (2008-12-09) |
| Average of all readings | 656.51 ft |
| Data span | 21.4 years (7,688 readings) |
Frequently asked questions
Is Hartwell Lake full right now?
As of 2026-08-14, Hartwell Lake sits at 651.79 ft, which is low for this time of year.Over the past 30 days the level has fallen 0.53 ft.
What is the water level at Hartwell Lake today?
The most recent reading is 651.79 ft (2026-08-14), sourced from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings on this page refresh automatically as the agency publishes new data.
What is the highest Hartwell Lake has ever been?
The highest level in our records is 664.85 ft on 2016-01-05. The lowest is 637.61 ft on 2008-12-09. Our record covers about 21.4 years of readings.
Is Hartwell Lake low for this time of year?
Compared with every August in our records, the current level is higher than 9% of them — low for this time of year. Seasonal comparison matters more than the raw number, because most reservoirs draw down predictably through late summer and refill over winter and spring.
Why is Hartwell Lake low right now?
Reservoir levels move for four main reasons: rainfall and runoff into the basin, releases through the dam for downstream water supply, power generation or flood control, evaporation during hot months, and seasonal drawdown schedules set by the operating agency. Hartwell Lake has fallen 0.53 ft over the past 30 days. For the operational reason on any given week, check the U.S. Geological Survey directly.
How much has Hartwell Lake changed over the past year?
The level is -6.45 ft compared with this date last year (651.79 ft today). The full-history chart above covers 21.4 years, with a record high of 664.85 ft and a record low of 637.61 ft.
Nearby lakes in South Carolina
Source: the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional and subject to revision by the publishing agency. All South Carolina lake levels.