Natural Beauty - Rivers and Lakes

Lake Hartwell One of the Southeast’s largest and most popular public recreation lakes, Lake Hartwell’s nearly 56,000 acres of water provide many recreation opportunities. There are numerous natural sand beaches along the 962-mile shoreline in addition to campgrounds, recreation areas and boat access areas. Hartwell borders Georgia and South Carolina on the Savannah, Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers. Lake Jocassee The lake has 7,500 acres of deep water and 75 miles of shoreline. The lake, named “Place of the Lost One” because of a Cherokee legend. Jocassee, an Indian maiden, was said to have drowned herself in grief over the murder of her lover. The popular recreation area is surrounded by mountains and waterfalls. The lake is located in Oconee and Pickens Counties. Lake Keowee Lake Keowee covers Keowee Town, site of the capital of the Lower Cherokee Nation. Keowee, meaning “Place of the Mulberries,” was visited by Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto when he came through the area in 1540. With 18,500 acres of water and a 300-mile shoreline, the Lake Keowee area is a popular place for boating, fishing, waterskiing, swimming, camping and picnicking. The lake is located in Oconee and Pickens counties. Other Upcountry Lakes Popular Upcountry lakes include Lakes Blalock, Bowen, Edwin Johnson and Cooley in Spartanburg County; Lakes Cunningham and Robinson near Greer; Saluda Lake, Matthews Creek and Oak Grove in Greenville County; Lake Whelchel in Cherokee County; and Lake Oolenoy at Table Rock State Park in Pickens County. Middle Saluda River The Middle Saluda River became the first river protected under the Scenic Rivers Program in SC. Located in northern Greenville County, about 500 miles of the river and its major tributary, Coldspring Branch, are protected. Dropping almost 1,000 feet in four miles, the river is a typical mountain stream that supports reproducing trout populations. The Middle Saluda River is entirely contained in Jones Gap State Park. The Upcountry wilderness is known for its natural features and diverse plant life. More than 400 species of plants can be found here. The valley is a haven for rare and endangered plants and state record size trees. Chattooga National Wild & Scenic River For regulation information call (864) 638-9568 www.FS.FED.US/r8/fms/ Designated the South’s first National Wild and Scenic River in 1974, the Chattooga is one of the premier whitewater rafting rivers in the Eastern US, dropping an average of 49.3 feet per mile. Made famous in the movie “Deliverance,” the Chattooga is one of the longest and largest free flowing mountain rivers in the Southeast that remains in a relatively undeveloped condition. The Chattooga forms the boundary between SC and Georgia and offers wonderful boating, fishing and rafting experiences. Chauga River Scenic Area (864) 638-9568 www.FS.FED.US/r8/fms/ The area’s fourteen miles of the small, but rugged, Chauga River flows through the scenic area’s 3,275 acres. A primitive fishing trail runs down portions of the west bank and several primitive areas are designated for camping. Lake Wylie