Lake Greenwood

Visit us today & you will understand why our residents vacation in their own backyard!

Not far from the charming town of Greenwood South Carolina lies Lake Greenwood, a pristine fresh water lake fed by the Saluda and Reedy River. Residents here enjoy magnificent sunsets and breath-taking sunrise views as well as year around boating, kayaking, fishing, paddle boarding, skiing, wakeboarding and other water sports.

You will fall in love with Lake Greenwood’s waterfront communities, Golf Courses, parks, scenic landscape and affordable real estate… but most of all, the friendly eclectic family of citizens who proudly call our beautiful lake home.

Because Lake Greenwood provides both drinking water and recreational opportunities the county, state and federal governments have all worked hard to maintain the lakes’ water levels while responsibly protecting our habitat. Whether you explore Lake Greenwood by boat or drop a line from a dock, fishing here is always a pleasure. Anglers here pursue Large Mouth Bass, Striped Bass, White Bass, White Perch, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Bream, Crappie or Pickerel.

In addition to its beauty, Lake Greenwood is unique among area lakes in that it is owned and managed by Greenwood County. This unique ownership allows the lake to remain at full or near full water levels even during times of extreme drought. The lake is normally drawn down a few feet during the winter months to allow the creation of fish spawning areas in the shallow parts of the lake.

Lake Greenwood serves as the dividing line between Greenwood County, Laurens County and Newberry County.

Length: 26 miles
Shoreline: 212 miles
Acreage: 11,400 acres
Proximity: within 10 Miles of downtown Greenwood
Maximum Depth: 69.3 feet
Current Lake Level 
Average Depth: 21.8 Feet
Managed by: Greenwood County

Take special pleasure in a slower-paced lifestyle where you can savor every moment without giving up the luxuries of fine culture, great shopping and first-rate medical care.

You will find a smorgasbord of information on this site but nothing compares to visiting in person. One visit and we are certain you will fall in love with our scenic area as much as we do!

Lake Greenwood Blue Way

The Lake Greenwood Blue Way was completed in 2013 and serves as an aquatic trail for paddle sport enthusiasts, including paddle boarders. The blue way begins in Greenwood County at the Highway 25 bridge over the Saluda River and treks its way 34.1 miles across Lake Greenwood to the mouth of the Saluda River on the other side of Buzzards Roost Dam.

The Blue Way has eight stops along the 34-mile route which contain signage, kiosks and brochures that describe the history of the lake and the wildlife of the lake, among other things. The eight stops are at the Highway 25 bridge, Soul’s Harbor, Watts Bridge, Goat Island, State Park, Buzzards Roost ramp, Dam portage and fishing access.

Lake Greenwood State Park

302 State Park Road
Ninety Six, SC 29666
864-543-3535
http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/lakegreenwood/camping.aspx

The Lake Greenwood State Park is a 944-acre park, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1938 and includes 130 campsites, 4 picnic areas with shelters, boat access and The Drummond Center which houses the park offices and a conference/meeting facility with a walk-through interactive tribute to the CCC. Here you can enjoy the wonders of primitive camping or camping in style in your RV. Each paved camping site is equipped with electrical hook-ups and a picnic table. Hot showers and restrooms are just a short walk from each site.

Enjoy a host of activities including roasting marshmallows by the campfire, wildlife watching, barbecuing, pier fishing, hiking, sunbathing, and stargazing.

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Lakefront Vacation Rental
City of Greenwood
Greenwood County
Greenwood Tourism
Greenwood Chamber of Commerce

HISTORY

Lake Greenwood was created between 1935 and 1940 by the construction of the Buzzard’s Roost Dam near Chappells, SC. The powerhouse was equipped with three turbines each driving a 5-megawatt AC generator to provide power to the Greenwood area. Water was impounded to a surface elevation of 440 feet above sea level, which was later revised to 439 feet above sea level for efficient operations and reserve storage capacity. This facility was built and operated by the Greenwood County Electrification Commission until the Commission was dissolved and the operations folded into the general county administration.

In 1966, Greenwood County held a referendum and by a narrow voting margin, elected to sell the transmission lines and the steam generating plant and to lease the powerhouse to Duke Power Company. The lease on the hydroelectric plant continued through 2006, at which time control reverted to Greenwood County. As part of their requirements in the 40-year lease, Duke Power has been working for the last number of years on Greenwood County’s behalf to renew the operating license with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the next 40 years of lake operation. Part of this process included the input of all state and federal agencies in setting new rules for operation regarding historical preservation, fish and wildlife habitat, river sustained flows, draw down curves, fishery issues, and improved public access. The newly constructed boat launching facility near the dam, which was built by Duke on the county’s behalf under the lease, is one of the new benefits.

Recent years have brought considerable development around the lake, which is becoming a choice residential and retirement area. New residents and homeowners are relocating to Lake Greenwood from all parts of the country to enjoy the mild climate, lake views, boating, water sports, fishing, and golf.

WEATHER

Greenwood’s climate is mild and seasonable, with an average temperature of 68 degrees. While the summer can bring heat and humidity, the spring and fall exhibit mild temperatures and many days filled with sunshine and beauty. Winters in Greenwood are comfortable, with very little precipitation or snow. For visitors, year-round outdoor activities are common and include fishing, boating and a host of other water sports.

CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT CONDITIONS

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