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THE CHRONICLE, Clinton, S. C., July 2, 1969—1-B Lake Greenwood: Opportunities "Buzzards' Roost" Yesterday, Today BY ERNIE SEGARS Lake Greenwood has provided the Laurens and Greenwood County areas with recreational and industrial opportunities that would not have been possible without this man-made area of water. Many people take it for granted that the lake has always been here. Residents of the Cross Hill - Chappells area, however, remember when there was no thing there but the peacefully flowing Saluda River. The construction of the dam was begun in the late 1930’s. Originally, the project was to be a joint effort by Greenwood, New berry, and Laurens Counties. As the construction was about to be gin, however, Laurens and New berry decided against taking part in the cost of the construction, and GreenwoodCounty was forced to go into the construction alone. The site that was selected was one of several selected by the Army Corps of Engineers in a general survey of the Santee River Basin in the late 1920’s. It had once been the site of a large roosting area for buzzards and the name for this project became the BuzzardRoost Power Project. The money to build this hydroelectric plant that was to cost about $4-1/2 million was borrowed from the U.S. Depart ment of the Interior under a program to improve the natural resources of the United States. The construction began in the late 1930’s and was finally completed in August of 1940. to the needs and wants of the people on Lake Greenwood. Res taurants, service stations, auto matic laundries, and several fish camps and boat landings have sprung up within the last few years. The large number of boats on Lake Greenwood is apparent to anyone who either goes to the lake or crosses one of the several bridges that span it. The size and horsepower of boats has in creased in recent years. Lake Greenwood often resembles our busiest highways on weekends and on holidays with the number of boats that can be seen in the water. One problem that constantly plagues cabin owners is the threat of break-in during the fall and winter months. Since there is no regular patrol of the area by law enforcement officials, these cabins are in constant danger of being robbed. Often, canned goods and other food pnxlucts are the only items that are taken. How ever, there have been cases in which televisions, radios, record players, and other valuable items have been pilfered. There have been cases of arson in which the entire cabin has been burned. Many of the cabins are in se cluded, rural areas out of the jurisdiction of any town or city policemen. The county sheriff is usually the officer in charge of the protection of these cabins, but he cannot very well protect each of the tremendous number of cabins on the lake. About the only protection that can be used is a strong lock and the removal of all valuables from the house during the off season. All win dows should be securely fasten ed, and all other safety precau tions that the owner deems nec essary should be heeded to insure the safety of the property. On July 1, 1966, Duke Power Company assumed ownership of the steam plant and the trans mission system of the Buzzard Power Project. The lake and the hydroelectric plant were leased to them. The total value of the transaction was $13,400,000. Duke Power assumed environ mental control of the lake (such as keeping it clean and spraying for mosquitoes) and Greenwood County remained in control of the lake as a recreational facility. The state of South Carolina also has a great deal to do with the lake as a recreational facil ity since the state maintains Greenwood State Park, located about five miles west of Ninety Six, S. C. The Park provides an excellent recreational oppor tunity for those who may not al ways have easy access to the lake. There are facilities for swimming, boating, fishing, camping, and cooking out. The official of the park also recently installed a Putt-Putt golf course to give further variety to what the Park has to offer. This is one of the few such courses in the State Parks around the state. Add 11,450 Acres Of Water . Shown above is the dam at Lake Greenwood nearinpr eomple- dam upstream slowed the flow of tin Saluda Kiver to creek-size tion in 1939. The picture was taken Jan. 17. 1939. A temporary while the dam construction was underway. The Lake itself covers ap proximately 11,450 acres. It is 20 miles long and two miles wide at its widest point. The lake provides a tremendous amount of electrical power, and its eco nomic value to Greenwood Coun ty has been tremendous. The dam has provided acounty-wide water system for Greenwood County, and this has caused an influx of industry from other sections of the state and nation. A boom in lake front property occurred as soon as the lake was opened. Owners of lake front pro perty were beseiged by people who wanted lots on the lake. The large number of cabins on the lake is evidence of this fact. A lake front lot now costs between $1,500 and $2,000 if you can find one available. Also of great importance are the recreational opportunities that the lake offers. Boating, fishing, and other water sports attract thousands of people to Lake Greenwood. This, in turn, has caused an increase in the number of businesses that cater Leveling Off For Lake Greenwood The picture above was taken in April of 11)40. The site is The level of the lake had been carefully calculated and it was nec- al>ove location of the dam and power house. This area had to be essary to level the land to keep tin- lake within its intended boun- leveled off in praparation for the lake that would soon cover it. daries. Lake Greenwood Today—Magnet For Industry And Recreation (Photos Courtesy Duke Power CV > < H