Augusta, GA
Aging equipment causes issues at Augusta lock and dam
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – More storms in the area could bring some lightning and flash flooding impacts with them.
This time last week, the Savannah River saw low levels even with all the rain.
Augusta Utilities says the cause was a door issue at the lock and dam after lightning struck a powerline.
If it happened once, could it happen again?
The Army Corp of Engineers says it’s not uncommon for them to lose power when it storms, meaning sometimes they lose control of the gates at the dam.
They say they have backup plans in place, but those can only last for so long.
Aging equipment can lead to problems.
“I would probably say at least a dozen times a year, possibly more, we have issues with one line or the other,” said Scott Hyatt with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.
Hyatt says storms last week knocked out both power and communications to the dam, keeping the gates open and dropping water levels by 2.5 feet.
“Got about six inches lower than we’d like it to ever get,” he said.
It led them to run on a backup generator and equipment from decades ago.
“It’s a structure that was built in the 1930s. It’s been mothballed and idled since the 1980s. And had very, very little done to it. It’s in terrible shape, the generator that’s in there, the engine came from a Korean War era military vehicle,” said Hyatt.
But they recently received funding to fix two of the gates next fall and get a new generator next year, so the problem becomes less common.
“We don’t have a system on the dam that just tells us, ‘Hey, you’ve lost a phase of power.’ It just tells us whether we have power or not,” said Hyatt.
Even though they do lose control of the dam, he says it won’t cause any excessive flooding.
The Army Corp of Engineers says they do watch the dam and water levels closely but if your business, docks or boats are impacted to reach out.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has made multiple arrests in a deadly shooting that left one teenager dead and another injured early Saturday morning.
According to deputies, the incident happened June 20, at approximately 12:50 a.m. in the 200 block of Warren Road, where authorities responded to reports of shots fired involving two gunshot victims.
When deputies arrived, they located two 18-year-old men from Augusta.
Officials identified the victims as Eric Markquis Bartley Miller and Joseph Lamar Thomas.
Investigators say Miller sustained at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Thomas was also found with at least one gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under active investigation.
As of Saturday afternoon, three teenage suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
18-year-old Dmihjay Collins, 17-year-old Tayshaun Thomas, and 17-year-old Joseph Thomas have all been arrested and charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Machine Guns. They are all currently being held at the Webster Detention Center.
A fourth teenager, 17-year-old Reante Byrd was also arrested, but investigators have not linked him to the murder case. Byrd has been charged with Possession of a Pistol or Revolver by a Person Under the Age of 18. He is also being held in the Webster Detention Center.
No further details in the investigation have been released.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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