Lake Greenwood (South Carolina) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Greenwood |
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 Lake Greenwood
Location in South Carolina
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| Location | Greenwood / Laurens / Newberry counties, South Carolina, United States |
| Coordinates | 34°13′44″N 81°58′40″W / 34.228835°N 81.977835°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Saluda River |
| Primary outflows | Saluda River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 11,400 acres (46 km2) |
| Average depth | 21.8 ft (6.6 m) |
| Max. depth | 69.3 ft (21.1 m) |
| Surface elevation | 439 ft (134 m) |
Lake Greenwood is a large lake in South Carolina, United States. It was created by building a dam across the Saluda River. This dam helps make electricity for the local area. The lake is a popular spot for fun activities like boating and fishing.
About Lake Greenwood
Lake Greenwood is a type of lake called a reservoir. This means it's an artificial lake, made by people. It has a long shoreline, stretching for 212 miles (341 km). The lake covers a huge area of about 11,400 acres (46 km2).
The lake reaches into three different counties: Greenwood, Laurens, and Newberry. However, Greenwood County actually owns the entire lake bed. They bought the land from farmers in the late 1930s. This happened during a tough time called the Great Depression. The money for this project came from government loans.
Several rivers and creeks feed into Lake Greenwood. These include the Saluda River, the Reedy River, and Rabon Creek. Rainwater from the surrounding area also flows into the lake. Water released from Lake Greenwood goes back into the Saluda River. This water then flows into another large lake called Lake Murray.
How the Lake Was Made
The project to build Lake Greenwood was first called the Buzzards Roost Project. Its main goal was to create hydroelectric power. This power would be sold to local homes and businesses. At the time, this project was competing with a bigger power company called Duke Power.
Duke Power tried to stop the project through legal challenges. They went to court many times. But in the end, the highest court in the country, the United States Supreme Court, said the project could go ahead. This allowed the dam and lake to be built using the government loans.
Who Manages the Lake?
For many years, Greenwood County managed the Buzzards Roost Project. They did this through a special group called the Greenwood County Electric Power Commission. In the mid-1960s, Duke Power made an offer. They wanted to buy the county's electricity network. They also wanted to rent the hydroelectric facility from Greenwood County for 40 years.
There were different opinions about this sale among local residents. Some people thought it was a good idea, while others did not. The decision was put to a vote for the people of Greenwood County. The voters approved the sale.
An important rule was added to the state's constitution about the money from this sale. This rule said that the money could not be spent directly. Instead, it had to be invested. This way, Greenwood County would only receive the interest earned from the investment. This rule was put in place to make sure the money was used wisely for the future.
Fun at Lake Greenwood
Lake Greenwood is a very important place for the local economy. Many homes and businesses have been built near the lake. This has helped the area grow.
The lake is also a popular spot for recreation. People enjoy boating and fishing here. Greenwood County works with state and federal wildlife groups to keep the lake healthy. They regularly add fish to the lake to make sure there are plenty for fishing.
