SCE&G raises the river for a great cause   

SCE&G will release water from Lake Murray into the lower Saluda River through Saluda Hydroelectric Plant Saturday, May 19 to support Canoeing for Kids’ annual “Raft-A-Rama” fundraiser. Water will be released 5:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

“Raft-A-Rama is a great event for folks interested in safely enjoying the river when it’s running higher,” said Jay Alley, founder and director of Canoeing for Kids. “The key is to be in the right boat, with the right people using the right equipment. It’s also most important to always wear a life jacket when you’re on the water. That’s been the foundation of our safety instruction for the last 25 years.”

Each year, Canoeing for Kids provides at least 1,000 underprivileged children the chance to participate in water activities on the river. SCE&G has worked with the non-profit organization for several years to ensure the depth of the river is sufficient for the event.

“We appreciate the opportunity to support Canoeing for Kids and their rafting fundraiser again this year,” said Jim Landreth, vice president of Fossil Hydro Operations for SCE&G. “At SCE&G, safety always comes first, so we’re encouraging event participants as well as anyone else who plans to spend time around water to put safety first.”

As temperatures rise and more people flock to the water, SCE&G provides five safety tips:

• Never go into the water alone, and always wear a personal floatation device.
• Inspect waders for signs of wear, and use ties to prevent water from entering boots. Wetsuits are an excellent substitute for waders, especially in the cold water of the lower Saluda River.
• Fish, swim or wade below dams only during low-flow periods.
• Stay out of restricted areas, be aware of your surroundings and plan a quick exit in case of an emergency.
• Move to a safer area immediately if a siren sounds, strobe lights flash or you notice the river level rising.

SCE&G’s lower Saluda River web page provides information about current and planned releases from Saluda Hydroelectric Plant. The page provides real-time flow conditions on the river as well as links to resources from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Geological Survey South Carolina Water Science Center and American Whitewater.

Individuals can sign up for alerts about current and planned conditions on the Saluda River. For more information or to register for alerts, visit www.sceg.com/saludariver.

About SCE&G

South Carolina Electric & Gas Company is a regulated public utility engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity to approximately 723,000 customers in the central, southern and southwestern portions of South Carolina. The company also provides natural gas service to approximately 371,000 customers throughout the state.