By: Heather Nix, Upstate Regional Water Resource Agent
Water Quality Issues: Last year, harmful algal blooms (HABs) were plentiful and had a record
long season, with SCDES identifying blooms in major reservoirs from 4/30/25 (Lake Hartwell) to
11/24/25 (J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir). We responded to many related complaints, including
one that involved the deaths of 24 adult cows on a farm with cyanotoxin-producing HABs.
In response, we are working to have new tools and materials available to improve and
streamline responses later this year. Existing tools include several fact sheets, articles, manuals,
a pocket field guide, and an online class – all available online at
https://www.clemson.edu/extension/hab/materials.html
Drought Status: Reports of low water levels in ponds are increasing across the Upstate.
As of 2/10/26, all of Greenville County is experiencing some level of drought (see map),
including D3 Extreme (southern 30% of County), D2 Severe (middle ~50%), and D1 Moderate
(northwestern 20%).
Visit the US Drought Monitor website for updated weekly reports
(https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap.aspx). Submitting a report is quick and easy – and
helps inform drought status decisions – visit the Condition Monitoring Observations Report
website to get started (https://droughtimpacts.unl.edu/Tools).
