Lake Hartwell
USACE Savannah District • Built 1962 • 56,000 surface acres • 962 miles shoreline
Lake Hartwell
Great Day on the Water
Level is 1.3 ft below normal pool, water temp is 69°f (crisp), light winds around 5 mph, no active algae or safety advisories.
What to Know About Lake Hartwell
One of the southeast's premier multi-state reservoirs, spanning the Savannah River between South Carolina and Georgia. Clemson University sits right on the lake, where fans boat to football games. Host to multiple Bassmaster Classics.
Boat Ramps & Launches
Public concrete launches, usable lake elevations, and federal pass info🚤 Big Water Marina
Usable (Level OK)Full-service marina providing vessel mooring, slip rentals, fuel dock, and visitor services.
🚤 Hart State Park
Usable (Level OK)Public recreation park offering lakefront shoreline access, picnic areas, and boat launch facilities.
🚤 Lake Hartwell State Park
Usable (Level OK)Public recreation park offering lakefront shoreline access, picnic areas, and boat launch facilities.
🚤 Portman Marina
Usable (Level OK)Full-service marina providing vessel mooring, slip rentals, fuel dock, and visitor services.
🚤 Richard B. Russell State Park
Usable (Level OK)Public recreation park offering lakefront shoreline access, picnic areas, and boat launch facilities.
🚤 Sadlers Creek St. Pk
Usable (Level OK)Public boat launch facility providing direct water access with vehicle and boat trailer parking.
🚤 Tugaloo State Park
Usable (Level OK)Public recreation park offering lakefront shoreline access, picnic areas, and boat launch facilities.
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Official federal, Corps of Engineers & state park campsites⛺ Big Oaks
$18 - $32 / nightBig Oaks Recreation Area is a 12 acre gently sloping site with good grass cover and scattered pine and hardwood trees throughout.. . . The area experiences high levels of intense public use during peak recreatio...
⛺ Broyles
$18 - $32 / nightBroyles Recreation Area consists of 24 acres with a gentle to moderate slope and vegetation consisting primarily of pine. The site presently offers day use and boat launching facilities consisting of 1 volunteer...
⛺ Coneross Park
$18 - $32 / nightConeross Campground is a moderately sloping, heavily wooded 136 acre site of mixed hardwoods and pines. The site presently offers camping and boat launching facilities to include: 1 gatehouse/entrance, 2 park at...
⛺ Crescent
$18 - $32 / nightMUST BE RESERVED A MINIMUM OF TWO DAYS IN ADVANCE OF ARRIVAL DATE. Crescent Group Campground is a 41 acre site located on a narrow peninsula with gentle slopes and a scattered tree cover of pine and mixed hardwo...
⛺ Elrod Ferry
$18 - $32 / nightElrod Ferry Recreation Area is a 39 acre site situated on a gently sloping point that overlooks the lake near Hartwell Dam. The site presently offers day use and boat launching facilities consisting of 1 gatehou...
⛺ Lake Hartwell Camping And Cabins
$18 - $32 / nightWaterfront camping facility offering tent and RV campsites with scenic lake views and recreational access.
⛺ Oconee Point
$18 - $32 / nightOconee Point Campground consists of 70 acres of gently sloping area with a relatively dense cover of pines and mixed hardwoods. . The site presently offers camping and boat-launching facilities including 1 gateh...
⛺ Singing Pines
$18 - $32 / nightSinging Pines Recreation Area consists of 42 acres. The site presently offers day-use and boat-launching facilities consisting of 1 gatehouse/entrance, 57 picnic sites, 2 standard picnic shelters with water and ...
⛺ Springfield
$18 - $32 / nightSpringfield Campground is one of Hartwell’s most popular camping destinations consisting of 60 acres of primarily Virginia pine and some mixed hardwoods. The area presently offers 1 gatehouse/entrance, 2 park at...
⛺ Watsadler
$18 - $32 / nightWatsadler Campground is a 36 acre site consisting of a relatively dense cover of pine and mixed hardwoods. The area is open year-round and is one of Hartwell’s most popular camping destinations. The site present...
Full-Service Marinas
Fuel docks, wet slips, ship stores, and boat rentals⚓ Big Water Marina
Full-service marina providing vessel mooring, slip rentals, fuel dock, and visitor services.
⚓ Portman Marina
Full-service marina providing vessel mooring, slip rentals, fuel dock, and visitor services.
Today's Fishing Outlook
Favorable feeding forecast today with the First Quarter (56% illuminated). Surface water is 69°F with a steady pool (-0.01' in 24h). Fish will feed aggressively along windblown points and main-lake humps during the primary major window.
Fishing Regulations & Species
State Wildlife AgencyLicense Info: SC DNR and GA WRD reciprocal license agreement honors either license on all border waters.
Regulations Summary: Top 10 national tournament bass fishery.
View Official Wildlife Department Regulations →Lake Rules & Boating Safety
All standard USACE and SCDNR boating laws apply.
Recent Community Reports
Real-time water clarity, hazards, and ramp wait times shared by boaters and anglers.
No community reports submitted in the last 24 hours for Lake Hartwell
Were you on the water today? Share water clarity, ramp conditions, or hazards to help fellow lake visitors.
Spaceborne Satellite Observation & Water Clarity
Fresh multi-spectral overhead Earth observation from the European Space Agency (ESA) Sentinel-2 constellation (10m spatial resolution).
Satellite imagery and indices processed via Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem (CDSE) / Sentinel Hub API. Data reflects actual surface conditions at the time of orbital passage.
Derived from Band 4 red reflectance across open water pixels. Low reflectance indicates minimal suspended silt and high underwater visibility for angling and navigation.
Normalized Difference Chlorophyll Index (NDCI: -0.063) measures phytoplankton concentration using Red-Edge (B05) and Red (B04) bands to detect early bloom development before surface scums appear.
Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) contrasts Green and Near-Infrared spectra to map shallow shoals, sandbars, and exposed islands (like Sometimes Island on Travis or Wood Island on Texoma).
Recommended Gear for Current Conditions
Algorithmically matched to today's water temperature (69°F), lake elevation, and weather forecast.
Bassdash UPF 50+ Performance UV Sun Protection Fishing Hoodie
Ultra-breathable moisture-wicking UV shield designed to prevent all-day open water sunburn and heat fatigue without overheating.
Onyx A/M-24 Deluxe Automatic/Manual Inflatable Life Jacket (USCG)
Lightweight, comfortable low-profile design that automatically inflates upon immersion while allowing full arm mobility for driving and casting.
SereneLife 10'6" Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard (Complete Kit)
Calm winds (5 mph) offer pristine mirror-calm coves for touring, paddleboard fitness, and shoreline exploration.
Garmin Striker 4 Fishfinder with CHIRP Sonar & Dual-Beam Transducer
High-frequency CHIRP sonar pinpoints submerged humps, river channel dropoffs, bait balls, and suspended gamefish with crisp target separation.
Commercial Marinas & Featured Partners on Lake Hartwell
Verified marine operators, boat slip facilities, and licensed guide services.
⚓ Big Water Marina
Full-service marina facility providing vessel mooring, guest slip rentals, marine fuel dock, and lakefront boater amenities on Lake Hartwell.
⚓ Portman Marina
Full-service marina facility providing vessel mooring, guest slip rentals, marine fuel dock, and lakefront boater amenities on Lake Hartwell.
Charter Guide or Boat Rental on Lake Hartwell?
Reach thousands of visiting boaters and anglers checking live water levels, surface temperatures, and ramp conditions before heading to Lake Hartwell.
Living on Lake Hartwell
Considering buying a lake cabin, dockable waterfront home, or retirement property on Lake Hartwell? Water levels, dock stability, and flood pool buffers are critical factors in waterfront valuation.
USACE controls flood pool buffer of 5 feet above conservation pool 660 ft.
Clemson, SC
Home of Clemson University, game-day lake tailgating, rowing facilities, and vibrant culture.
Anderson, SC
The Electric City, offering extensive dining, historic districts, and quick access to Portman Marina.
Hartwell, GA
Historic Georgia gateway near Hartwell Dam, offering charming downtown dining and deep water coves.
Seneca, SC
Foothills community bordering Lake Hartwell and Lake Keowee with premier healthcare and shopping.