Points North Magazine

"Lake Keowee"

Written by Carl Danbury

The jet ski pointed north toward the mountain backdrop on the horizon, which appeared to be less than one mile away. The water nearly motionless on this early Friday morning, it spread horizontally like a huge sheet of navy blue and green granite. A warm whispering breeze seemingly nudged me forward, encouraging me to squeeze the throttle.

For the next six exhilarating minutes I glided over the glistening water — with no interference from other watercraft — a bit closer to the imposing vista.

Welcome to South Carolina’s Lake Keowee!

Austin Singleton, owner of Singleton Marine Group, with locations on five different lakes in Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina, including Keowee North Marine, said there is no comparable lake to Keowee this side of the Mississippi River.

“Lake Keowee has the cleanest water I have ever seen,” Singleton said. “It has spectacular long-range views of the mountains, it’s not as crowded, not as overbuilt and at the right time of the year it’s a good bit cooler. With the foliage colors in the fall … it’s absolutely gorgeous!” Sandra McGee, community relations’ manager for Duke Energy in Pickens and Oconee County, S.C., provided some details about the lake that suggest Singleton’s claim is not far off base. “Jocassee is the cleanest lake in South Carolina I have been told, but Keowee is the second cleanest,” McGee said. Keowee sits just south of Jocassee and both are fed directly off mountain streams. “They are great for fishing and boating. They are the whole package,” she added.

The Reserve at Lake Keowee Lake Keowee is just 15 minutes from downtown Clemson, which offers hotel chains for overnight accommodations, standard College-town dining and a plethora of orange-and-purple clad revelers crowding the place on fall football weekends. Lakeside villas with long waiting lists and RV/ camping facilities are easy to find at state parks on the lake itself, but to fully appreciate the lake’s pristine beauty and the ultimate in lakefront lifestyle, a visit to The Reserve at Lake Keowee is required.

The 3,900-acre lakeside community, conceived by Greenwood Development Corp. in 2000, features 30 miles of shoreline, a community lakefront park, a marina, swimming pool, tennis courts, a fitness center, a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, spectacular homesites and a village that is the very heart of the community itself.

“Greenwood has always felt strongly that communities need a heart,” said Chuck Pigg, community manager for The Reserve and vice president for Greenwood Communities & Resorts. “That’s where the village concept came from. We purposely congregated all of our amenities around the village area, which is anchored on the lower end by the lake and on the upper end by The Orchard House.” The Orchard House combines the golf clubhouse, restaurant and the origin of some of the most spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Lake Keowee anywhere in Upstate South Carolina, as the area is often referred.

Originally conceived as a second-home community within a two- to three-hour drive from residents of Atlanta, Asheville, Charlotte and Greenville, The Reserve took what nature provided and enhanced it by creating a self-contained, family-oriented, full-service lakefront community.

“We were blessed with a beautiful piece of property to begin with and a great lake that fronts it. The lake is by far our biggest asset,” Pigg said. “We created the manmade components to complement what was already here.” The result is the fulfillment of homeowners’ fascination to experience an unparalleled lifestyle for their families, guests and themselves. While the majority of The Reserve’s members are second-home property owners with families, the community has 55 families living there year round. Pigg calls them The Reserve’s “biggest ambassadors.”

Area Explorations The north end of Lake Keowee, where The Reserve is situated, is rarely oversaturated with water sports fanatics and is a prime locale for spotted bass fishing. Other species found in the lake’s warm waters are largemouth, smallmouth, white and red-eye bass, in addition to bluegills and catfish. As fall approaches and the hardwoods’ leaves create a zenith of colors on the mountains, visitors can experience an array of intriguing day trips.

“You could spend a week here visiting all of the scenic waterfalls,” McGee related.

“And, there are some beautiful drives that you don’t have to go very far to enjoy the spectacular foliage.” The Foothills Trail, an 80-mile trek across the mountains, is one that experienced hikers will enjoy. For the intrepid spirits, the Chattooga River offers spectacular whitewater rafting and kayaking. Among the best attractions, according to McGee, is a trip to Stumphouse Tunnel and Issaqueena Falls. Located seven miles northwest of Walhalla, the tunnel is 1,617 feet long and was originally constructed in 1852 to connect Charleston to Knoxville, and then to Cincinnati. The ambitious attempt was brought to a halt by the Civil War. The falls are easily accessible and named for a Native American maiden, who apparently was trying to elude captors.

In nearby Seneca, Ram Cat Alley is home to unique shops, restaurants and events in a charming, elegant and historic setting. Hagood Mill, which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was originally built in 1826, and is one of the oldest gristmills in South Carolina. It Still produces stone ground cornmeal and grits. Old Pickens Church, built from 1849 to 1851, is located in “the town that disappeared” but locals can still help you fi nd it.

For children, a trip to the Upstate wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the World of Energy, which provides energy education through animated displays, computer displays and a short nature trail.

A Day in the Life of Lake Keowee Lake Keowee’s proximity to the northside of Atlanta makes it an alluring destination.

Its beauty and array of activities adds to the appeal, as does a visit to The Reserve.

While it’s not a resort, the community offers Discovery Packages for potential homebuyers that include private guesthouse accommodations and nightly credits that can be applied towards two rounds of golf, a half-day boat rental, lunch or dinner at The Orchard House or merchandise from the pro shop.

“We provide an opportunity for guests to experience the lifestyle. They become a member for a day, a couple of days or a weekend,” Pigg said. “We want our guests to discover what life at The Reserve is all about. Lake Keowee is one of the most beautiful lakes that I have experienced anywhere, period.” Before visiting however, McGee offered some sage advice.

“Plan to stay longer than you intend to, because when you get here there is so much to see and do, particularly if you are an outdoors person,” she said.