AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP)- Drought-parched Thurmond Lake is expected to
fall to its lowest level since 2002 within the next 10 days.

The low level will trigger Level 3 of the U.S. Corps of Engineers' drought-management plan for only the second time since it was adopted in 1989.

The plan calls for additional water to be moved from Lake Hartwell to keep Thurmond full enough to maintain the minimum flows into the Savannah River that are needed by downstream users.

The reservoir's pool level and the drought plan's Level 3 benchmark dictate how much water is released into the Savannah River for drinking, industrial processes and wastewater dilution for Augusta, Columbia County, North Augusta and a number of industries.

Thurmond Lake is 13.44 feet below the full pool of 330.

The good news is that some much needed rain is in the forecast for late Tuesday and Wednesday, as a low pressure system moves into the Augusta area from the west. Up to one or two inches of rain is expected.

Rich Rogers contributed to this story.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)