C-2 Lake Hartwell Access and Shoreline Fishing Enhancement

Project Description, Justification and Need

A second goal of the compensatory restoration plan for recreational fishing is to enhance the recreational fishery on-site on Lake Hartwell. Enhancing facilities will provide additional angler access and much needed shoreline angling opportunities.

The majority of Lake Hartwell’s recreational facilities were developed when the Lake was constructed in the 1960s. These facilities are generally small, with limited parking, and not able to accommodate large angling events such as tournaments. Enhancement of selected boat ramps would provide adequate facilities to handle fishing tournaments or other water-based events requiring a larger facility.

Lake Hartwell currently has limited shoreline angling opportunities. While shoreline angling accounts for a significant portion of recreational fishing activities at Lake Hartwell, there are currently only four developed shoreline fishing facilities available to anglers. In a 1992 creel survey of Lake Hartwell, shoreline anglers made approximately 29,140 fishing trips to the Lake.

Project Objective

Enhance the Lake Hartwell recreational fishery and angling experience through improvement of boat access and shoreline fishing opportunities.

Proposed Locations – Improved Boater & Shoreline Fishing Access

Seneca Creek is 4-acre boat access facility owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and leased to Oconee County. This facility is located near Clemson University and currently serves primarily the Clemson, SC public in providing boater access and unimproved shoreline fishing opportunities.

This project enhancement would redesign the existing facility to provide an enlarged parking area. The parking area design would allow open views from Seneca Creek Road and provide 50 boat and trailer parking spaces and 10 single-car spaces. The improvements would include new asphalt, improved access ramps, lighting, courtesy dock, restrooms, curbing and appropriate drainage. The open view to Seneca Creek Road and lighting would create a safe environment. The project would also include an accessible fishing pier and/or boardwalk with a potential walking trail with picnic opportunities that would lead to the boardwalk/fishing pier area. Draft Soutth Carolliina Recreational Fishing Compensation Plan

Brown Road Waterfront Park is a 2.2 acre facility managed by Anderson County, SC. The park is located along Brown Road within ½-mile of the City of Anderson, SC. The park currently contains a boat ramp, car and trailer parking, courtesy dock and lighting. The park does not currently have any shoreline fishing facilities.

This proposed project would include the construction of 260-feet of boardwalk/fishing pier along the shoreline and additional shoreline stabilization and vegetation removal to accommodate the project. The location, visibility and current use of this park make it an attractive site for shoreline fishing access improvements. The boardwalk/pier will be sited to provide angler access to deep water and to complement the existing recreational use of the park.

Lake Hartwell State Recreation Area is a 680-acre park managed by the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism located in Oconee County, SC. This facility is located on Highway 11 near its intersection with Interstate 85 and also includes camping, hiking and picnic areas. The park does not currently have a shoreline fishing facility.

This proposed project would include the construction of a fishing pier at Lake Hartwell State Recreation Area. This park is already well-developed, with existing roads, restrooms and other necessary amenities that would limit the required improvements to support a fishing pier. The pier will be sited to provide angler access to deep water and to complement the existing recreational use of the park.

Sadlers Creek State Recreation Area is a 395-acre park managed by the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism located in Anderson County, SC. This facility is located near Highway 187 approximately 13-miles from Anderson, SC and includes camping, hiking and picnic areas. The park does not currently have a shoreline fishing facility.

This proposed project would include the construction of a fishing pier at Sadlers Creek State Recreation Area. This park is already well-developed, with existing roads, restrooms and other necessary amenities that would limit the required improvements to support a fishing pier. The pier will be sited to provide angler access to deep water and to complement the existing recreational use of the park.

Broyles Recreation Area is a 24-acre park owned and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The park is located in Anderson County, SC and contains a boat ramp, individual picnic sites and group shelters, single-car parking, swim beach and playground. The park does not currently have a shoreline fishing facility.

This proposed project would include the construction of a fishing pier at Broyles Recreation Area. This park is already well-developed, with existing roads, parking areas, restrooms and other necessary amenities that would limit the required improvements to support a fishing pier. The pier will be sited to provide angler access to deep water and to complement the existing recreational use of the park.

Fairplay Recreation Area is a 16-acre park owned and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The park is located in Oconee County, SC and contains a boat ramp, restroom, courtesy dock, individual picnic sites and group shelters, single-car parking, swim beach and playground. The park does not currently have a shoreline fishing facility.

This proposed project would include the construction of a fishing pier at Fairplay Recreation Area. This park is already well-developed, with existing roads, parking areas, restrooms and other necessary amenities that would limit the required improvements to support a fishing pier. The pier will be sited to provide angler access to deep water and to complement the existing recreational use of the park.

Lawrence Bridge Recreation Area is a 7-acre park owned and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The park is located in Oconee County, SC and contains a boat ramp, restroom, individual picnic sites and single car parking. The park does not currently have a shoreline fishing facility.

This proposed project would include the construction of a fishing pier at Lawrence Bridge Recreation Area. This park is already well-developed, with existing roads and other necessary amenities that would limit the required improvements to support a fishing pier. The pier will be sited to provide angler access to deep water and to complement the existing recreational use of the park.

(SCDNR) Natural Resources Office is located near Clemson, SC on Hartwell Lake in Oconee County, SC. The facility serves as the Region 1 Office for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Land and Water Conservation, and Outreach and Support Services. The facility is open to the public, but does not currently include any recreation facilities.

This proposed project would include the construction of a fishing pier at the Lloyd C. Webb Natural Resources Office. To accommodate this facility, a small parking area will be constructed to accommodate the additional visitation to the facility. The current parking area will only accommodate employees and business visitors. The office is located close to Clemson, SC and is a very popular shoreline fishing location.

Expected Benefits

Improved shoreline fishing and boat access facilities will provide recreational fishery enhancement at Lake Hartwell. The improvements to boat access at Seneca Creek are expected to increase visitation at this site by increasing security of the site, improving the parking area and the boat ramp. The proximity to Clemson, SC is expected to provide a convenient and much needed launch location for lake-based events. The establishement of shoreline fishing facilities in developed recreational areas will provide a new activity in locations that already have public visitation. This approach allows for the construction of more facilities by avoiding costly major infrastructure improvements needed to develop new sites. Providing this new recreational opportunity is expected to increase shoreline based fishing trips to Lake Hartwell.

Lake Hartwell Access and Shoreline Fishing Enhancement Budget

The projected budget for the Lake Hartwell Access and Shoreline Fishing Enhancement project is estimated at $1,100,000. This includes design and construction costs at six (6) to eight (8) of the proposed boat access improvement sites and shoreline fishing sites.

Follow this link to the Full Proposal http://www.dnr.sc.gov/news/pdf/OmnibusRecFishPlan10909.pdf

PLEASE NOTE - Comments posted here WILL NOT be passed on to the Trustees.

For further information on the RCDP contact:
Paul League, SCDNR, P.O. Box 167, Columbia, SC. Interested parties may also email Mr. League at Leaguep@dnr.sc.gov