Lake Hartwell Association, Inc.

The Lake Hartwell Association’s mission is to protect and improve the lake’s water quality, quantity and safety for the benefit of residents and users. The association uses education, advocacy, and stewardship to achieve this goal.

Advocates for positive state water policy.

The LHA is a member of the Georgia Water Coalition and participates on the Savannah Basin Advisory Committee for the Georgia Statewide Water Planning Process. The association has taken a strong position against sacrificing our future through interbasin water transfers. The LHA is also a founding member of the Hartwell Area Chamber and Municipal Coalition. It has promoted the need for an interstate compact between Georgia and South Carolina to further protect the long-term future of the Savannah Basin waters.

Advocates for the protection of lake water quality.

The LHA has actively engaged in the process to remediate PCB contamination and resulting fish consumption advisories in the lake. It has conducted independent water quality studies to verify the high quality of our waters for all lake users. Recently, the LHA started the Covekeeper network on the lake to identify and address water quality risks. Together with the US Army Corps of Engineers, the LHA co-sponsors the annual Hartwell Lake Clean Up Campaign and has promoted and led the effort to cleanup discarded foam bead dock flotation from the shoreline.

Promotes water and boating safety.

The LHA staff has developed the lake navigational brochure which has been widely praised for providing a concise source of navigational and state regulatory boating information. The Safety Committee maintains a children’s life jacket loaner program at all lakeside marinas through a Boat US grant program.

Advocates for sound and consistent shoreline regulation and basin management.

With the US Army Corps of Engineers, the LHA has promoted more conservative dock loading through the revised shoreline management plan. The LHA participated in the Savannah Basin Study process resulting in a revised drought plan which better protects our water levels. The LHA conducted an economic impact study, during drought conditions that demonstrated a business loss of over $120 million, to support better water management and has lobbied for federal funding for critical Corps projects, which will protect Savannah Basin water assets.

Networks with other water organizations.

To keep abreast of technical developments and share best practices, the LHA is a member of the Georgia Lake Society, the Lake and Watershed Association of South Carolina and the North American Lake Management Society. Various LHA members have given numerous presentations and conducted workshops at Regional Water Conferences.