One of South Carolina’s busiest lakes has just been ranked among the cleanest lakes in the United States.
The 56,000-acre Lake Hartwell spans South Carolina and Georgia along the Savannah, Tugaloo, and Seneca Rivers. It remains a top destination for boating, fishing, and outdoor recreation.
Researchers analyzed 100 large lakes using federal water quality data from 2020 to 2025. They examined oxygen levels, nutrients, and contaminants like lead and ammonia.
The study found Lake Superior ranked as the cleanest overall, while Lake Okeechobee ranked among the dirtiest.
Lake Hartwell was built between 1955 and 1963 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It was designed for flood control, hydropower, water supply, and recreation.
Today, the lake features 962 miles of shoreline and includes Lake Hartwell State Park near Interstate 85. The site offers boating access, hiking trails, and recreation areas.
Its creation also flooded the former town of Andersonville, now considered a lost “ghost town.”
For the Charlotte region and Upstate South Carolina, the ranking reinforces Lake Hartwell’s value as both a tourism hotspot and a well-preserved natural resource.
