The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' J. Strom Thurmond Lake is a man-made lake bordering Georgia and South Carolina on the Savannah, Broad, and Little Rivers. The lake is created by the Thurmond Dam, located on the Savannah River 22 miles above Augusta, Ga., and 239.5 miles above the mouth of the Savannah River. The lake extends 39.4 miles up the Savannah River, 29 miles up the Little River, and 6.5 miles up the Broad River in Georgia, and 17 miles up the Little River in South Carolina. At full pool elevation, Thurmond Lake comprises nearly 71,100 acres of water and 1,200 miles of shoreline. The Thurmond Project was designed for flood control, hydropower, fish and wildlife, water quality, water supply, downstream navigation and recreation. It's one of the top 10 most-visited Corps lakes in the nation!
Due to significant impacts caused by Hurricane Helene at J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake, a majority of day-use parks, campgrounds, boat ramps, and trails remain closed until further notice. The project is currently working diligently to restore safe access for the public. Please refrain from entering all posted closed areas until the Thurmond Project deems them safe and reopens them. The project’s Visitor Center continues its normal weekly operation, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with closures on weekends and Federal Holiday
Update 02/07/2025
The following areas are currently open to the public, however, use discretion and remain vigilant while visiting these areas as hazards may still be present.
- Amity- boat ramp only
- Below Dam GA Hunter Access/ Quail Area - last .3 miles are still closed
- Calhoun Falls
- Clarks Hill Park
- Columbia Wayside
- Dordon Creek Boat Ramp
- Dordon Creek Hunter Access- last .4 miles are still closed
- Gill Point- boat ramp only
- Keg Creek Boat Ramp and Trailhead
- Leathersville Boat Ramp
- Modoc 7 Boat Ramp
- Morrahs Boat Ramp
- Murry Creek Boat Ramp
- Murry Creek Hunter Access
- Parksville- boat ramp only
- Rousseau Creek
- Scotts Ferry Boat Ramp
- Visitor Center
For current Boat Ramp status click here: