Closed hydro plant causing issues for Ware Shoals residents

WARE SHOALS, S.C. (WSPA) — Dozens gathered in Ware Shoals to voice concerns about the Ware Shoals Hydroelectric plant.

A public meeting was hosted Wednesday by the town of Ware Shoals and Patriot Hydro, the company that owns and operates the plant.

According to Beth Harris, the plant manager, the plant was temporality shut down in 2022 when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) found that a canal and abutment had structural issues and did not meet the agency’s regulations for stability.

When the facility closed, it caused the Saluda River’s water levels to drop, according to Ware Shoals Mayor Bryan Ross.

“They [Patriot Hydro] opened up one spillway gate,” Ross said. “Now, that spillway’s gate is open, and they took the splash boards off. The splash boards were holding the retention pond up, the water up. Once they took the splash boards down, the water level went down on everybody’s property.”

During Wednesday’s meeting, property owners explained how the lower river levels have affected their homes.

“I’m losing most of my land because the water keeps coming back and forth, dropping, getting low and high,” one property owner said. “It kind of upsets me because I’m losing my dream home and the land with it.”

“Now, we can’t see the water anymore,” another property owner said. “You walk down to the river, and it’s a creek. I have concerns with property values, house values and everything we’ve invested our money in.”

Patriot Hydro said it is working with engineers to create plans to make repairs. As of right now, Harris said they do not have any solutions or designs. She hopes they can begin construction next spring.

Mayor Ross said he is worried the town will suffer financially if the river’s water levels are not restored soon.

“The river is what brought Ware Shoals here,” Ross said. “If you’re taking that away, that’s a big recreation. We have a lot of people who come here to canoe and everything else throughout the summer months. Yeah, it is a concern financially.”

Mayor Ross said the town will plan another public meeting in November.

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