MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCBD) – Santee Cooper will conduct a study of spawning conditions for endangered sturgeon in the Santee River. As part of that process, the utility provider will temporarily increase how much water is released from its spillway into the river.

Beginning on Monday, Oct. 20, Santee Cooper will increase water releases to about 2,400 cubic feet per second (cfs) – that’s up from a normal flow of about 600 cubic feet per second.

Officials said the increased water flows at this volume will not result in downstream flooding.

According to Santee Cooper, the study will assess the availability of spawning habitat along a 37-mile stretch of the Santee River between the Lake Marion Spillway and the Rediversion Canal.

The increased flows will provide the necessary channel depth

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