Welcome to Hartwell Dam & Lake!
 

Authorized

Hartwell Lake is one of the southeast's largest and most popular public recreation lakes. Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1955 and 1963 as part of a flood control, hydropower, and navigation project, authorized purposes now include recreation, water quality, water supply, and fish and wildlife management. Each year, millions of people utilize the many public parks, marinas, and campgrounds conveniently located around the lake to pursue a variety of outdoor recreational experiences -making Hartwell one of the most visited Corps lakes in the nation.

Hartwell Lake is a man-made lake bordering Georgia and South Carolina on the Savannah, Tugaloo, and Seneca Rivers. The lake is created by Hartwell Dam located on the Savannah River seven miles below the point at which the Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers join to form the Savannah. Extending 49 miles up the Tugaloo and 45 miles up the Seneca at normal pool elevation, Hartwell Lake comprises nearly 56,000 acres of water with a shoreline of 962 miles.

Click to: Read more about Hartwell Lake
 

 

 

 

Help Clean Hartwell Lake! Annual Lake Clean Up August 14 - September 26, 2009

Thanks for making this event a success!  Over 500 people voluntarily picked up litter around the shoreline and islands during the six week period.   The most common items found were plastic bottles and aluminum cans, bait containers and plastic wrappers. Please help keep Hartwell Lake clean year round!

Attention Shoreline Permit Holders! Would you like to receive information and updates concerning shoreline use permits from the Corps by email?  If so, you're in luck.  The Corps is establishing an email database in order to keep you up to date and to help us save on mailing costs.  Permit holders interested in receiving emails from the Corps can email the Hartwell Dam & Lake Office  (cesas-op-h@usace.army.mil) or call the office toll-free at 888-893-0678, ext. 0.   You will need to provide your name, permit number and up to two email addresses.    Important Info for Dock Permit Holders Do you have a dock permit but your dock is not installed?  If so, read on.  The deadline for installing permitted docks on the lake is January 1, 2010.  The Hartwell Lake Shoreline Management Plan states that docks must be installed within one year of permit issuance.  However, the Corps suspended the one year deadline during drought related low lake level conditions.  Permit holders who do not install their docks by this date will lose the boat dock portion of their permit.  For more information, please contact the Hartwell Lake Office.   WEAR IT!! It's too hot!    It doesn't look cool!  I know how to swim.  Nothing is going to happen to me... These are just some of the reasons people say when asked why they don't  wear a life jacket.  But with over 4,000 people drowning each year in the U.S., it is imperative for you to wear your life jacket at all times when you are in or around the water.  Hartwell Lake is a great place to cool off but remember - Hartwell Lake is not your backyard pool.  Water depths vary, drop-offs, holes, rocks and tree stumps may exist and visibility into the water is limited.  Wear your life jacket while boating AND swimming.  Over 200 people have drowned at Hartwell Lake.  Sixty percent of drownings were swimming related - many people simply overestimated their swimming ability.  Do not be tempted to swim across coves or out to an island, buoy, boat, or a raft or toy that has drifted away.  Distances across water are difficult to estimate and are typically farther than they appear.  Be Safe and WEAR IT!

Recent Park Improvements

- 18 Mile Creek access:   New courtesy dock, paving and striping    - Camp Creek access:  New courtesy dock - Carters Ferry access:  New courtesy dock - New Prospect access:  New courtesy dock - Friendship Recreation Area:  New restrooms at boat ramp - Townvillle access:  New courtesy dock - SC Recreation Area (access to walking trail) and SC Overlook:  Area repaved and striped - Spring Branch access:  New courtesy dock

Annual Day Use Passes Available

Annual passes for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers day use areas are available.  The passes are $30 each and are valid for one year from the date of purchase.  The pass allows unlimited nationwide use of all day use fee areas managed by the Corps.  Passes may be purchased in person at the Hartwell Lake Visitor Center (using cash, check or credit card), by phone (using credit card) toll-free at 888-893-0678, or by mail (using check or credit card).  Annual passes are also available at Corps operated campgrounds and staffed day use area gatehouses well as Richard B. Russell and J. Strom Thurmond Lake Offices.

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