Our Largest Lakes - Hartwell and Keowee

 Lake Hartwell

One of the Southeast's largest and most popular public recreation lakes, Lake Hartwell was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1955 and 1963 as part of a flood control and hydropower project. The 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.

Lake Hartwell borders Georgia and South Carolina where the Seneca and Tugaloo Rivers join to form the Savannah River.

          ** CORPS SAYS LAKE HARTWELL HAS REACHED FLOOD STORAGE STAGE **

Here is additional information and history on Lake Hartwell.

Lake Keowee

Constructed by Duke Power Company to generate hydroelectric power, 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. 18,500 acres of water and a 300-mile shoreline make the Lake Keowee area a popular place for boating, fishing, water-skiing, swimming, camping and picnicking. Many of the area's finest homes and subdivision are on Lake Keowee.

Lake Keowee is located entirely in South Carolina in Oconee and Pickens Counties.