Lake Jocassee
Lake Jocassee (/dʒəˈkæsi/, /dʒoʊˈkæsi/) is a 7,500-acre (30 km2), 300-foot (91 m) deep reservoir in northwest South Carolina. It was created in 1973 by the state in partnership with Duke Power. The lake is known for the clean and cold Appalachian mountain rivers that flow into it, keeping its waters cool and clear year-round. The Jocassee Dam, which forms the lake, is 385 feet (117 m) high and 1,750 feet (530 m) long. The lake is within Devils Fork State Park.
| Lake Jocassee | |
|---|---|
Lake Jocassee | |
| Location | Oconee / Pickens counties, South Carolina, United States |
| Coordinates | 34°57′36″N 82°55′10″W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Horsepasture, Toxaway, Whitewater, Thompson Rivers |
| Primary outflows | Keowee River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 7,500 acres (30 km2) |
| Average depth | 158 ft (48 m) |
| Max. depth | 326 ft (99 m) |
| Shore length1 | 75 mi (121 km) |
| Surface elevation | 1,100 ft (340 m) |
| Frozen | No |
| Islands | Dozen small islets |
| Settlements | Clemson, Pickens, Salem, and Seneca |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Although most manmade structures were demolished before the lake was flooded, divers recently discovered the remains of a lodge that was left intact; it is now below 300 feet (91 m) of water. Mount Carmel Baptist Church Cemetery was a setting for a scene in the film Deliverance (1972), starring Burt Reynolds and Jon Voight, produced before the lake was flooded. The site is now covered by 130 feet (40 m) of lake water.
Several waterfalls flow directly into the lake, including Laurel Fork Falls, Mill Creek Falls, Wright Fork Falls, and Moondance Falls.