After such a strong showing in April, where each of the sub-basins exceeded its 67-year average for that month, you had to wonder: Are these numbers sustainable? Now we know.
Last month the three sub-basins combined for a total of 6.5 inches of rain, which was only slightly more than Hartwell received by itself in April (6.3 inches).
And as abysmal as those numbers seem 
(Hartwell and Thurmond sat at 48 and 54 percent of their May average; Russell at 64 percent), they don’t even begin to paint a picture for just how dry it was as a majority of the rainfall came in the last week in May.
Still, one interesting, roller-coaster style pattern has emerged for 2015. Beginning in January, the sub-basins have alternated between lows and highs every other month.
For example, in January, March and May, each received roughly 60 percent of its average.
Meanwhile, the months of February and April experienced a deluge that exceeded previous averages – sometimes by as much as an additional 50 percent. (The only exception was Lake Hartwell in February, which received 4.35 inches, or 86 percent of its average for the month.)
Grouping the numbers in this way makes it easier to be optimistic for June, which could be another “high” month, but only time will tell.
~ Jeremy S. Buddemeier, Corporate Communications Office
