Last Updated on September 20, 2022 by Eric
The first question most people have about Lake Keowee is “where did the name of the lake come from?” Keowee is a Cherokee name that roughly translates to “Place of the Mulberries.”
How Did Lake Keowee Start Out?
Lake Keowee was initially a massive $700 Million construction project—which in today’s dollars is equivalent to well over $5 Billion. (Source: Latest U.S. Gov. CPI Data) The groundbreaking for the project took place all the way back in 1967, but actual construction began in 1971 with the building of two large dams: Keowee Dam and Little River Dam. (Jocassee Dam was also built to create Lake Jocassee).
Why was Lake Keowee built?
Lake Keowee was originally developed to serve the needs of Duke Energy, as well as for public recreation. It’s still operated by Duke Energy to this day, but the public recreation aspect has become increasingly important—especially in recent years.
That’s because today, the lake is now a sought-after destination for retirement living, boating, fishing, and other water activities. It’s also home to a number of luxurious lakefront estates and residential communities like Keowee Key.
Can You Swim in Lake Keowee?
Yes! Swimming is permitted in the lake.
Why is Lake Keowee so clean?
Lake Keowee is renowned for its scenic beauty, including its clean, clear waters. Depending on where you are, the water may have more of a sparkling, crystal blue tint or an exquisite, emerald-green hue—but either way, it’s stunning to look at, and even more enjoyable to swim in.
But why is the water here so clean? Well, for one thing, the levels of pollutants and other unwanted contaminants are closely monitored and controlled today according to the Lake Keowee Watershed-Based Plan.
The Lake Keowee Source Water Protection Team was established in 2017, with an objective of protecting, maintaining, and improving water quality in the watershed. Local volunteers and divers help keep the lake clean by regularly removing trash and debris from the shoreline and waters.
Duke Energy has also sponsored clean-up drives to keep Lake Keowee free of pollution and litter. Local residents have also kept an eye on development in the area with the goal of making sure that new construction projects and recreational use don’t adversely affect water quality.
As you can see, there’s no shortage of people working hard to keep Lake Keowee as clean and beautiful as it is today!
What’s the General Layout/Geography of the Area Like?
Located in Upstate South Carolina, Lake Keowee is 26 miles long, 3 miles wide, and has approximately 300 miles of shoreline. It has a wide main channel with numerous side channels branching off of it, and many coves along those channels. So if you picture a Christmas tree, that’s more or less what Lake Keowee looks like from above—and it has many “branches” to explore.
The northern end of Lake Keowee is quieter and more secluded than the southern side. You’ll find both fewer homes and fewer people on the lake as you travel north. The southern end of Lake Keowee is where you’ll find more residential neighborhoods, development, and activity on the lake.
Are there Alligators in Lake Keowee?
Not year-round, but there may be seasonal spottings every few years.
How’s the Fishing on Lake Keowee?
The lake is home to a variety of fish species, including bass, catfish, crappie, and trout (brown trout as well as rainbow trout). There are three types of bass here: largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted. Though spotting a spotted bass is more rare than finding a good old fashioned largemouth or smallmouth, you certainly won’t find many fishermen complaining.
Anglers can also find a variety of panfish, including bluegill, bream, and yellow perch. Fishing for these species is a popular pastime for residents who live on the lake.
What about Boating?
Fishing isn’t the only popular activity on Lake Keowee. The lake is also a great place for boating, waterskiing, and kayaking. (The smooth waters make it an ideal spot for stand-up paddle-boarding, too!)
Lake Access
There is a marina for local residents, as well as 9 public boat ramps located around Lake Keowee, making it easy to access the water. These include:
- Cane Creek
- Crowe Creek
- Fall Creek
- High Falls
- Keowee Town Landing
- Mile Creek
- South Cove
- Stamp Creek
- Warpath Access
What Makes Lake Keowee So Beautiful?
The scenic beauty of Lake Keowee is one of its most popular features. The lake is surrounded by mountains, forests, and rolling hills. The area is also famous for its waterfalls. Waterfall Cove is a favorite spot among the locals to drop anchor, turn off the engine, and just enjoy the view.
The lake is also home to the Keowee-Toxaway State Park, which offers great hiking with views of Lake Keowee and surrounding waterfalls. The park is on the northern end of the lake and encompasses a thousand acres. The state park includes 4 “sub-parks”:
- High Falls Park
- Mile Creek Park
- South Cove Park
- Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve (Natural wildlife preserve, managed by the South Carolina DNR)
Buying Property / Moving to Lake Keowee Information
If you’re thinking about moving to the area, buying real estate here, or are just interested in the value of houses on Lake Keowee, check out these resources:
