[2] The Flood Control Act of 1950 authorized the Hartwell Dam and Reservoir as a development project of the Savannah River Basin.

Construction on the dam began in 1955 and the plan called for a three-mile long structure containing four hydroelectric generators with a combined 264 MW capacity.

A year before its completion, in February 1961, the dam began to inundate a portion of the Savannah River to create the reservoir.

Phase II consisted of replacing all of the switch-yard breakers and bus-work and updating the powerhouse and Clemson Pumping Station.

[4] The 2007-2009 drought raised controversy over the Southeastern Power Association's (SEPA) role of controlling the Hartwell Dam.

Complaints arose that the dam was releasing excess water in order to provide cheap power to communities.