Lake Keowee (Oconee)

Lake Keowee in Oconee County, South Carolina

This lake has 8 Layers or 15 Layers for HD Version

Lake Keowee is an impressive 18,372-acre man-made reservoir situated in Oconee and Pickens Counties in northwestern South Carolina, created in 1973 through Duke Energy's ambitious Keowee-Toxaway Project that required construction of two massive dams—the Keowee Dam and Little River Dam—on the rivers bearing those names. Stretching approximately 26 miles long and 3 miles wide at its broadest point, this expansive lake features 300 miles of scenic shoreline and maintains a surface elevation of 800 feet above sea level in the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills. The Keowee Dam stands as an engineering marvel at 3,500 feet long, 800 feet wide at its base, and rises 385 feet—though notably 215 feet lower than neighboring Lake Jocassee's dam. With an average depth of 54 feet and reaching maximum depths of 155 feet, Lake Keowee serves the critical dual function of cooling Duke Energy's three nuclear reactors at the Oconee Nuclear Generating Station while generating hydroelectric power through the Keowee Hydro Station, which produces 158 megawatts of electricity—enough to power approximately 7,000 homes. The lake's name "Keowee" derives from the Cherokee word meaning "place of the mulberries," honoring the historic Keowee Town that once stood as the capital and largest settlement of the seven Cherokee Lower Towns before being submerged beneath the reservoir's waters, along with the ancient burial grounds and countless artifacts now resting beneath the lake surface.

Lake Keowee has earned distinction as one of the cleanest and most pristine lakes in the Southeast, with crystal-clear blue-green waters that maintain exceptional quality year-round thanks to continuous flow from mountain streams and the lake's significant depth. The reservoir's stable water levels—carefully controlled by Duke Energy for nuclear operations and hydroelectric generation—ensure reliable recreational access and protect property values along the extensively developed shoreline that features over 110 residential communities. Anglers pursue four species of black bass including largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, and redeye bass, along with crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, catfish, and both brown and rainbow trout, though unlike many South Carolina lakes, Keowee does not have striped bass or significant blueback herring populations. The lake provides drinking water to Greenville, Seneca, and surrounding areas, making water quality a top community priority maintained through strict environmental monitoring and the Lake Keowee Source Water Protection Program. Recreational opportunities abound across nine public boat ramps and numerous access points including South Cove County Park, High Falls County Park, Mile Creek Park, and Keowee-Toxaway State Park, which occupies 1,000 acres along the northern shoreline offering hiking trails, camping facilities, and the thrilling 1.5-mile Upstate Zipline experience. Popular destinations include Jumping Rock, a natural 30-foot boulder where boaters gather to swim and watch daring cliff jumpers, and Waterfall Cove (Party Cove Falls), where cascading waterfalls create a festive gathering spot for anchored watercraft. The unique "Hot Hole" dive site near the nuclear station's warm water discharge attracts scuba divers year-round, particularly in winter months, offering drift diving experiences with visibility ranging from 8 to 30 feet and encounters with bass, carp, and catfish in depths reaching 35 feet.

Dimensions:

Small: 8"x12"

Medium: 12"x18"

Large: 16"x24"

Extra Large: 20"x30"

XX Large: 24"x36"

Gigantic 30"x45"

HD Extra Large: 20"x30" - 15 Layers

HD XX Large: 24"x36" - 15 Layers

HD Gigantic 30"x45" - 15 Layers

The difference between standard and HD maps is the number of layers. Standard maps have 1 land layer and 7 water layers. " The HD lake maps have 1 land layer and 14 water layers. So twice the detail. The HD Maps are limited to Extra Large, " XX Large, and Gigantic sizes only. On the smaller sizes the depth change of the wood is too extreme and you end up losing detail."