2025 FOLKS Spring Issue by Community Journals

KEOWEE

FRIENDS OF LAKE KEOWEE SOCIETY

EST. 1993

COMMITTEE

Dave

FOLKS BOARD CORNER

By Dale Wilde, President, FOLKS

Spring is a time for new growth and new beginnings in our beautiful Lake Keowee watershed. Ephemeral flowers are beginning to emerge and soon the iconic Oconee Bells will grace us with their brief appearance in the delicate Jocassee Gorges ecosystem. If you have not seen them, it is well worth the effort to walk a short path in Devil’s Fork State Park to enjoy the flowers along the woodland creek. There are many other spring flowers, from trout lilies, trilliums, and Wild geranium to be observed as well along the Foothills Trail and other local trails. Indeed, your very own gardens or community gardens may be a treasure trove of flowering plants that are important early food sources for pollinators emerging in the spring.

Spring is also a notable time of change — the change of season, the change of clocks, and change in our activity levels on and around Lake Keowee. Already more boats and even jet skis are on the lake, and hikers are taking to the trails. As FOLKS embarks on our 32nd year of preservation efforts on Lake Keowee, I am reminded of what was and continues to be the foundation of our mission — advocacy, conservation, and education to preserve this area for generations to come. Our mission has not changed.

FOLKS continues to make strides with advocating for safer boating regulations and promoting the numerous boat safety courses available locally. On March 13, we presented a speaker series event on boating safety by America’s Boating Club – Golden Corner Lakes and TowBoatU.S. We are also encouraging HOAs to bring this presentation to their

residents throughout the summer.

Special thanks to Dave Head for the beautiful cover photo of a loon.

Conservation efforts continue in the Upstate. FOLKS applauds the efforts of conservation groups such as Natureland Trust and Upstate Forever as they secure tracts of land that are preserved for generations. Once land is developed, it rarely, if ever, reverts. That is why treasured lands deserve our financial commitment to ensure conservation and protection.

This year we have committed additional resources to our education efforts. The Cason Group – Keller Williams Seneca North has generously sponsored our 2025 Speaker Series, and Melanie Fink generously donated $5,000 towards our 2025 Jack Lewis Watershed Stewardship Scholarship program. The FOLKS board voted to support the Jocassee Wild Program, and we provided funding for the Bill Miller Testing Kit Library that supports the Adopt-a-Stream monitoring kits for our scholarship students.

P r o s p e c t i v e b u y e r s o f t e n a s k o u r

t e a m “ w h a t ’ s t h e a r e a ’ s g r e a t e s t

a t t r a c t i o n — t h e c o m m u n i t i e s , t h e

g o l f c o u r s e s , t h e c l u b s ? ” “ L a k e K e o w e e ” i s o u r r e s p o n s e .

AMERICA’S BOATING CLUB ® – GOLDEN CORNER LAKES

Free Boating Safety, On-the-Water Training and Weather Courses

BY SUE DRAGOO, Public Relations Officer

America’s

Boating Club — Golden Corner Lakes

Make your boating experiences fun as well as safe! Come join us and learn the rules of the water. America’s Boating Club® – Golden Corner Lakes, is offering free America’s Boating Courses this year where participants will learn about types of boats and their uses, South Carolina’s state and local regulations, safety equipment, communications, how to handle emergencies, anchoring, trailering, navigation rules and aids, personal watercraft (jet ski) operation, knot tying and much more.

At the end of the course, there will be an exam. After completing a course, there is an option to participate in on-thewater training. Completion of the course by a person born after July 1, 2007 will allow that person to get a certificate for jet-ski operation. There is no cost for the course other than $35 for a manual which can be shared with family members. The classes will be held in person at two locations:

• St. Mark United Methodist Church, 616 Quincy Road, Seneca, SC, for three consecutive Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:30 pm April 22, 29 and May 6; and September 9, 16 and 23.

• Keowee Key North Marina, Lake View Room, 563 Tall Ship Drive, Salem, SC, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm on either Saturday, May 17, or Saturday June 21.

Please preregister for your choice of course by calling Ron Osburn at (864) 972-2434 or email Ron at ozbrn@bellsouth.net. Meeting particulars will be provided to preregistered students.

After completing America’s Boating Course, there is an option to have free On-the-Water Training. Each participant will be guided through leaving the dock, slow speed maneuvers at idle speed, crossing wakes at speed, “man overboard” drill and general awareness.

• For Keowee Key residents, this training will be held at the Keowee Key North Marina on the following Mondays: April 14, May 19, June 23, July 21, August 18 or September 29 from 8:30 am - 12:00 pm. Contact Derek Massi at (864) 944-0863 or email Derek at dmassi@kkpoa.com

• For those not living in Keowee Key, On-the-Water Training will be held at South Cove County Park, 1099 South Cove Road, Seneca from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on May 13 and June 24. To sign up for either of these two sessions, call Ron Osburn at (864) 972-2434 or email Ron at ozbrn@bellsouth.net

In addition to boating safety courses, a Weather for Boaters Seminar will be held on Saturday, June 7 from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm at the Lake View Room at the Keowee Key North Marina. This seminar covers the unique facets of weather in the Upstate as well as some weather forecasting methods and tools. This seminar is free and a PDF of the seminar is available for $10. To register, call Brian Hackley at (864) 784-2551 or email Brian at hackley1@gmail.com.

For membership and additional information, visit our website at www.abclubgcl.org or on Facebook @abclubgcl.

America’s Boating Club® is a registered trademark of the United States Power Squadrons®

Recycle Here SC Mobile App Receives National Recognition

Collaboration between PalmettoPride and the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services Recognized

This February, PalmettoPride and the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) received the Innovation Partnership Award at the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) Annual Conference for their collaboration on the launch of the Recycle Here SC mobile application. The award recognizes state agencies that demonstrate exceptional efforts in fostering partnerships with state and local KAB affiliates.

Launched in November 2024, the Recycle Here SC app consolidates information for South Carolina residents on what, where, and how to recycle various items across the state. As South Carolina’s leading anti-litter organization, PalmettoPride has long collaborated with SCDES to promote recycling as a key strategy to reduce litter. Providing clear information on how and where to dispose of trash and recyclables is essential to tackling litter in our communities. It is estimated that 75% of litter consists of recyclable materials. Instead of polluting roadways or occupying landfills, these materials can instead help subsidize South Carolina’s $13.5 billion recycling industry. While both organizations continue to encourage South Carolinians to recycle, educating residents on how to recycle correctly is equally important.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our partnership with PalmettoPride to make the Recycle Here SC app a reality and put important recycling information at the fingertips of South Carolinians,” said Myra Reece, SCDES Interim Director. “We’re grateful for this recognition that spotlights how collaboration can help South Carolina make advances in recycling education and awareness that will benefit our residents, businesses, communities and environment.”

Despite the existence of over 500 drop-off centers and 77 curbside programs across the state, there are significant differences in what materials are accepted at each location. This inconsistency can confuse residents and lead to contamination, a challenge that recycling programs nationwide face. The Recycle Here SC app is the first approach of its kind to address this issue, making recycling more convenient and accessible than ever for South Carolinians.

“This award highlights the power of collaboration and what

we can achieve when we work together to keep South Carolina beautiful. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on the support of agency partners to convey our mission to a statewide audience,” said PalmettoPride Executive Director Sarah Lyles. “We are honored to receive this recognition alongside SCDES and are grateful for their continued support.”

Funding for the Recycle Here SC app was provided through the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency, awarded to SCDES. Additional funding and support were provided by PalmettoPride and the South Carolina Beverage Association. PalmettoPride oversees the Keep South Carolina Beautiful (KSCB) program, the state’s KAB affiliate. Currently, there are 38 certified and two precertified affiliates in South Carolina within the KSCB network. For more information, contact info@palmettopride.org.

Created as a legislative initiative to fight litter and help beautify our state, PalmettoPride fights litter in South Carolina by inspiring prevention through education, supporting enforcement, connecting community groups to resources, and mobilizing volunteers.

PalmettoPride Executive Director Sarah Lyles (left) and Keep America Beautiful, Inc. President and CEO Jennifer Lawson (right)

PalmettoPride Executive Director Sarah Lyles (left) and Keep America Beautiful, Inc. President and CEO Jennifer Lawson (right). Photo provided.

Lake Keowee Source Water Protection Team Section 319 Grant Award

BY SUZY MCKINNEY, FOLKS Technical Advisor

The Lake Keowee Source Water Protection Team (LKSWPT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed by Duke Energy in 2017 to monitor and protect the water quality of Lake Keowee. LKSWPT consists of seven organizations, including FOLKS, working together to ensure Lake Keowee’s water is safe for residents, recreation, drinking water consumption, and energy-production, through providing educational information, managing grants for septic system repairs and replacements, connecting landowners to land protection opportunities, and partnering with other organizations for the shared goal of maintaining and protecting the watershed.

The LKSPWT was awarded its third Section 319 Grant from the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) on February 6, 2025, to continue offering financial assistance to eligible homeowners within the watershed for septic system repairs or replacements, as well as providing information to help septic users maintain their systems properly. Through this partnership, 124 septic systems have been repaired or replaced since November 2020, preventing an estimated 3.00 trillion bacteria from draining into Lake Keowee each year. The current grant award will provide for the repair or replacement of an additional 28 systems. In addition, LKSWPT will use Section 319 funds to reimburse eligible landowners for a portion of their closing costs when placing land into a conservation

easement. To date, approximately 160 acres have been protected from development in the Lake Keowee watershed, and the recently awarded grant funds will provide for the preservation of an additional 100 acres.

To learn more about LKSWPT, the septic repair and conservation easement programs, and best management practices to protect and enhance the Lake Keowee watershed, please plan to attend our annual Stakeholder Event, scheduled for April 3, 2025, at the World of Energy. Space is limited so please RSVP to https://bit.ly/LKSWPTEvent

Visit us online at Lake Keowee Water Quality – Source Water Protection Team (lakekeoweewatershed.org)

(Top two photos) Line replacement. (Bottom two photos) The tanks being replaced.

HCTC FISHING TEAM:

A Season of Success and Making History

BY NIKKI ADAMS, Assistant Coach, School District of Oconee County Hamilton Career & Technology Center Fishing Team

The 2024-2025 season of the HCTC Fishing Team is shaping up to be one for the record books! With strong performances at every tournament and a historic college signing, these young anglers are making waves in the world of competitive fishing.

DOMINATING THE COMPETITION

SEPTEMBER 2024: A Strong Start

The HCTC Fishing Team kicked off the season in spectacular fashion, securing 1st place at both the middle school and high school levels in the Palmetto Boat Center High School Tournament Trail.

• Middle School Stars: Five individual teams also cracked the top 25, including Bryson Barker & Grady Hopper (2nd) and Brooke & Lilly Myers (5th).

• High School Standouts: Five individual teams finished in the top 25, with Hunter Bolt & Zander Morton (4th), Landon Hopper & Noah Manley (5th), and Dylan Smith & Luke McGuffin (6th) leading the charge.

NOVEMBER 2024: Success on Lake Russell

Tournament No. 2 saw the team putting on another impressive display.

• Middle School Victory: A 1st place finish with a total of 20.19 lbs, highlighted by Bryson Barker & Grady Hopper’s 7.46 lbs haul and Jace Wiley & Jax Adams’ 6.83 lbs. Wiley & Adams also landed a 4-lb big fish!

• High School Second Place: Just 1.56 lbs shy of 1st place, the team finished 2nd overall with 34.36 lbs. Hopper & Manley weighed in at 13.68 lbs, with Smith & McGuffin following closely at 11.52 lbs.

DECEMBER 2024: Cold but Victorious on Lake Hartwell

Despite frigid conditions, HCTC anglers delivered once again, competing against more than 250 boats

• Middle School Champions & High School Podium Finishers: Another 1st place for the middle school team and 3rd place for the high school anglers. Barker & Hopper weighed in at 12.98 lbs, while “Double Trouble” (Brooke & Lilly Myers) brought in 7.45 lbs.

February 2025: Battling it Out on Lake Lanier

With another tournament in the books, HCTC continued its run of top finishes.

• Middle School Team: 2nd place overall with 15.07 lbs. The Myers sisters finished in the top 10, while Mac Thrift, Braxton Webb, and Luke Camp contributed solid catches.

• High School Team: Also 2nd place overall with an impressive 44.44 lbs. Hopper & Manley led the team with 16.92 lbs, finishing 5th out of 104 teams, while Bradley Davidson & Holden Cone followed closely with 16.75 lbs, finishing 7th.

OTHER TOURNAMENTS

• March 15, 2025: Lake Keowee at South Cove Park

• April 5, 2025: Clarks Hill Lake – Final regular-season tournament before the Classic!

MAKING HISTORY: LUKE MCGUFFIN SIGNS WITH EMMANUEL UNIVERSITY

In a groundbreaking moment for Oconee County, Luke McGuffin became the first angler from the Oconee County School District to sign with a college fishing team!

McGuffin, who started his fishing career as a middle schooler in 2019, has built an impressive resume with 4 wins and 12 Top 10 finishes . He also received the Outstanding Sportsman Award in 2022 for assisting a stranded family on Lake Keowee.

“HCTC Fishing Team is very proud of our Lulu!” says Coach Roy McKenzie. “Emmanuel University is gaining an exceptional angler, and we can’t wait to see what he accomplishes at the next level.”

JOIN THE HCTC FISHING TEAM!

Interested in becoming part of this winning team?

• The team is open to grades 6-12 in public, private, or homeschool in Oconee County.

• Anglers must have access to a boat and a boat captain.

• Those 16 and older must have a valid fishing license.

For more information, follow HCTC Fishing Team on Facebook and message the coaches on Messenger.

With an incredible season so far and more tournaments ahead, the HCTC Fishing Team is proving why they are a force to be reckoned with on the water!

What about Bob? … Jocassee Loonwatch

BY BROOKS WADE, Jocassee Lake Tours

Kay and I moved to the shores of Lake Jocassee in February of 2010. I remember walking down to the shore on a foggy first morning there, and I heard a loon! I had never heard of loons on freshwater lakes. My only experience with them had been where I worked as a young man off the shores of Florida where loons by the tens of thousands spend their winter. It was on Lake Josassee, on cold and foggy mornings, that I first heard the famous wail of the loon waft across the water, and it was then that I fell into the “spell of the loon.” Many of you who live on Lake Keowee—having moved here from the upper Midwest—suffer the same affliction, I’m sure. Kay and I started Jocassee Lake Tours in 2011 and offered our first “loon tour” in 2013. To our total surprise, the tour filled up, and the rest is history.

It was a one very cold night in February 2015, that researchers placed identifying leg bands on the first Common Loon (loon) we ever banded on Lake Jocassee. He was lovingly

Bob’s presence here, for 10 straight years now, proves emphatically that at least some loons are indeed site loyal to their winter waters.

named Bob. For the 10 years that have followed, we have seen him each winter, and in the same area of the lake. It’s quite remarkable, really. This year I was losing hope, when, on the second day of this year’s loon research week, there he was! We saw Bob! He rolled over to preen his belly feathers, he seemed to wave his banded leg at us. It’s a behavior Bob does every year. Loons are known to be site loyal to their natal lakes and regions most every breeding season, but it has not been known definitively if loons are also site loyal in winter. Well, Bob’s presence here, for 10 straight years now, proves emphatically that at least some loons are indeed site loyal to

their winter waters.

Common Loons, a large ducklike diving waterfowl, are one of five species worldwide. Common Loons are medium-distance migrants. In North America, it mainly winters from Alaska to the Baja Peninsula and from Newfoundland to Florida. These large loons have not always found Upstate South Carolina a hospitable wintering ground. Since there are no natural lakes in South Carolina, there was no reason for them to forage here during the winter. But, with the creation of our reservoirs, several hundred have been calling Jocassee and Keowee home during the winter. Researchers have been studying them here for over a decade with our ongoing work with the Jocassee Loonwatch.

One of the country’s foremost loon biologists came here to see for himself if all that we had been telling him had even a shred of truth. At that time there had been no mention in the lay or scientific literature about loons wintering on southern lakes. Now the world knows better, and Lake Jocassee is rightly famous for its winter Common Loon (loon) population. We see Bob every winter, in exactly the same location on the lake. That’s what loons do. They return to the same breeding lake and winter waters every single year. So, if you live on the shores of Lake Keowee and see a loon off your dock every year, that’s your loon. You might as well give the bird a name.

Beginning in 2017, a focused program of study began on Lake Jocassee. The first three years were sponsored by Earthwatch, an international citizen science organization, and for the past two

Bob the Loon

years the nonprofit Jocassee Wild Outdoor Education has been the sponsor. It is the first-ever volunteer study of loon behavior on a freshwater body of water in winter; much new information has been garnered. We have learned that loons do much better in freshwater habitats than in their

traditional marine winter waters. Their health overall is better; they suffer no emaciation and die-offs; they spend less time feeding and more time loafing (a highly scientific term); and they are entirely more social than is discernible in marine environs. To be brief, life is good for loons on Lake Jocassee!

The field conditions for Jocassee Loonwatch volunteers are challenging. Imagine spending all day on Lake Jocassee watching loons, tucked away in the wildest and most remote parts of the lake where the birds are prone to gather. But as the saying goes, “Someone’s got to do it!” To be truthful, the research period over the years has been spread over the months of January, February, and early March, so it can be pretty darned cold and windy on the lake during those times. (We tell attendees to bring way more clothes than they would ever expect to need on a southern lake!)

I am thrilled to say the work is ongoing. Many new questions are being posed and explored. How the subpopulations of loons are distributed around the lake is a particular interest of mine. Additional data gathering will continue to support the working assumptions that we have determined thus far. I have learned from personal experience that scientific research is nothing if not grindingly methodical and quantitative. I take particular pride in saying that this research will be expanding into studying the fall and spring loon migration on Lake Jocassee. Lake Jocassee is a significant stopover lake during November and December and again from mid-March to mid-April. It is breathtaking to be on the lake at such times. I have been pounding my scientific partners with the wonder of it all until they have relented and agreed to spend a week next year focused on the spring loon migration. It will be a first-of-its-kind study, as spring loon migration is nearly impossible to study in a marine environment. Surely the fame of Lake Jocassee among the truly “loony” can only expand.

In closing, I hope all of you who read this will spend some time with us and the Jocassee loons next winter. Your heart will swell, too.

PHOTO BY DAVE HEAD

Spring Wildflowers at Devil’s Fork State Park

BY MELISSA HIGGS, Communications Manager, FOLKS

Georgia O’Keefe, the famous artist who captured flowers and landscapes on canvas, once said, “When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else.” Today, I had the opportunity to share the world of Oconee Bells with my community. I helped with the Friends of Lake Keowee table at BellFest. Hats off to Friends of Jocassee for sponsoring such an entertaining and meaningful event!

Devil’s Fork State Park is home to the Oconee Bell Nature Trail, as well as an access point for the enchanting Lake Jocassee, the gateway to the Keowee Watershed. The conditions there are prime for this unique wildflower to bloom every year at the start of spring. Only a few locations in the southern Appalachians are home to the flower, which grows in moist, wooded areas. Not only do we (locals) take pride in our Oconee Bells, but the flowers provide a sense of place for us to know we are “home.”

First described by botanist André Michaux as he sought plants that would benefit France in the late 18th century, his accounts of the bells enlightened others about ecosystems in the Carolinas. In particular, the Blue Ridge Escarpment, a geological feature where the Blue Ridge

GET INVOLVED WITH FOLKS

If you would like to experience the joy that we did at BellFest and want to feel like you are making a difference, let us know how you would like to contribute. Our BellFest FOLKS volunteers were excellent ambassadors as they talked about their experiences with FOLKS and helped with our kid’s activity — watercolor painting of fish, trees, flowers, butterflies, the lake and mountains, and anything that made them think about the bountiful natural resources we have in our area. Send an email to folks@keoweefolks.org and let us know you want to volunteer. We would like for you to join in the fun! We need you to help conserve our watershed!

Mountains rise from the Piedmont and form gorges with cool, moist microclimates, supports a higher number of species than rainforests in Central and South America. Species diversity, especially native species, stabilizes ecosystems and makes them more capable of handling difficulty. Hopefully, events like BellFest will spread the word about the necessity to consider how our actions affect the balance of the environment.

We are fortunate to have several state parks along Highway 11. It’s easy to grow in your understanding of the natural world when you visit these parks. Not only do I admire their dedication to conservation, I also appreciate the parks’ efforts to educate and host community events, such as BellFest, with local organizations. What makes this event especially important is that it helps support conservation efforts in the Keowee Watershed. SC State Parks are vital allies in preserving diverse and rare species.

Awareness about Oconee Bells and other native plants, leads to more careful consideration of our resources. It was refreshing to see so many families who wanted to learn more, who were teaching their children to love the great outdoors. Hikers, campers, travelers, local service groups, educational organizations, native plant enthusiasts, artists, emergency management personnel, and musicians came together in the spirit of sustainability.

Stay tuned for more articles in this series about local state park resources that contribute to the preservation of our watershed.

Live Life Here! Live Life Here!

Our residents love living life at Clemson Downs! They enjoy fun, food and fellowship on our beautiful 38-acre wooded and pastoral campus.

Clemson Downs is a locally owned continuing care retirement community offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing Care. It is designed to meet your or your loved one’s care level needs.

PRACTICAL LIMNOLOGY

Quite a Storm, Second Part: Why So Intense?

BY DR. JOHN HAINS, Clemson University (Retired), Clemson Public Service and Agriculture (PSA), and FOLKS Board Member.

Continuing the story of Hurricane Helene, let’s start with a correction. In the previous article there was a misprint. On the second page, I noted the daily amount of energy that an average hurricane transfers as being “5 x 1019” joules. That should have been “5 x 1019” joules per day, 5 times 10 raised to the 19th power. Continuing on that idea, to make a comparison that might help you visualize the size of that amount, this means that the average hurricane transfers an amount of energy every day that is equivalent to approximately 230 nuclear power plants with an output similar to Oconee Nuclear Station. This all involves numbers that are so large and amounts of energy that are so great that most of us have difficulty comprehending them. Again, ocean warming is the critical source of energy that drives hurricanes, and water evaporated and later precipitated is the major agent of energy transfer. This explains the occurrence of hurricanes but not necessarily the intensity. One important factor is the warmth of the deeper oceanic water. If the critical temperature is at the ocean surface … then why is the warming of deep waters important? Well … in a hurricane, wind is not the only thing that is moving. Wind in contact with the ocean surface also causes the water to move, and this is part of the critical process for a hurricane to form and grow.

Envision warm (hot) water releasing energy and water vapor to the atmosphere. The warm moist air rises rapidly, and air from surrounding areas rushes in to replace the air that is rising. This, along with evaporation, tends to cool the water, thus decreasing the energy transfer. If this is all that happens, it might produce a thunderstorm and little more, but if the water is very warm and doesn’t cool, this process may intensify. If the winds cause the water surface to move, it may be replaced by deeper water that “upwells.” This is a common process. If that deeper water is cooler than can support a hurricane, then Eureka! the hurricane dissipates. However, if that deeper water has been storing solar energy for decades and is also very warm, the upwelling can also continue to “grow” the hurricane. Even if that deeper water is a little cooler, it won’t require much more of the sun’s energy to warm to hurricane temperatures. The result: storms of greater size and/or intensity.

Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26

and moved rapidly over the land, retaining its intensity until it damaged the Carolinas, and finally stalled as a much-depleted, but still-damaging, cyclonic storm over Tennessee for two days, between September 27 and 29. While the speed of its overland travel explains why it retained its intensity far inland (there was insufficient time for it to dissipate), the temperatures of the Gulf of Mexico contributed to that intensity. Figure 1 shows the storm’s path across a color-coded thermal map of the Gulf. Helene “dumped” a large, damaging amount of water, especially in North Carolina and Tennessee. So … did the mountains have anything to do with this?

Everyone who lives in our region should be aware of the fact that just a short distance uphill from Lake Keowee, in the hills above Lake Jocassee, is a substantial region that is often classified as temperate rainforest. In order to be considered rainforest, rainfall must be at least 60'' per year, and it should be distributed throughout the year and not confined to a single short time during which the rest of the year is arid. Much of the southern Appalachian mountain region qualifies. So why does Anderson, SC, enjoy about 48'' of annual precipitation while in a neighboring county, Walhalla, SC, enjoys about 60'', and just up the hill, Mountain Rest, SC, gets about 63'' of precipitation? In addition, Sapphire, NC, above the Jocassee Gorges, receives more than 90'' annually. Could altitude be an important factor? Well, yes.

than approximately 85 degrees F with much of the surface exceeding 90 degrees F.

Figure 1. Sea surface temperatures before Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26th. The temperature scale indicates that the entire Gulf of Mexico had surface temperatures greater

Those of us who pay close attention to the increasingly accurate weather forecasts have probably noted that there are two general trends of air movement to our region. There is a west-to-east motion of major fronts coming across the continent, and there is also a common southwest-to-northeast flow from the Gulf of America (a.k.a. Gulf of Mexico) to our area. To a lesser extent, sometimes we also get occasional moisture

in air currents from the Atlantic Ocean. In all cases, these air movements encounter an obstacle as they approach the Blue Ridge or the Appalachian Mountains. This obstacle creates what is called an “orographic” effect (Figure 2), in which the hills and mountains force air to move to greater altitudes as it crosses those verdant hills.

If readers remember the ideal gas laws, there is a relationship between temperature, pressure, and volume of gases in general, and our atmosphere in particular. As the moist air is forced to greater altitude, the pressure decreases. As a result, the temperature decreases and the moisture condenses, forming clouds and precipitation, and we benefit from the resulting abundant water supply and our magnificent rainforest.

All this helps explain the intensity of the storm and the amounts of precipitation, but what about that counter-clockwise circulation of all hurricanes in the northern hemisphere? Well … that is a little bit complicated but very intriguing. Next time.

(File 2:Steigungsregen.jpg. (2020, September 6). Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved 10:17, March 14, 2025 from commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Steigungsregen. jpg&oldid=450105525.)

Figure 2. Illustration of the orographic effect as warm, moist air moves from its source and is forced to greater elevation, causing precipitation of that moisture.

Curious about the Jocassee Gorges?

BY TRACI BEGOLE, Friends of Jocassee Board Member

Friends of Jocassee (FOJ) is sponsoring a Jocassee Fireside Chat (JFC) series in 2025 to educate and inspire our community about this wonderful place where we live. FOJ seeks to encourage members and non-members alike to conserve the Jocassee Gorges, and a great way to do that is by bringing awareness and educating others about this mysterious, wonderful and unique ecosystem that deserves protection for future generations.

There will be four “fireside chats” where attendees can learn about a particular topic in a casual social setting. Some of these sessions will be in different places, so the community can get a better sense of where the Jocassee Gorges are located. We call the area the Jocassee Gorges but where exactly is that? The best definition, as defined by the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges, highlights the area of Upstate SC from the northeast corner with Sassafras Mountain down to Scenic Highway 11 west through Keowee-Toxaway State Park over to

Curious about the Jocassee Gorges?

Devil’s Fork State Park and up to the NC/SC State Line.

By Traci BeGole, Friends of Jocassee Board Member

Friends of Jocassee (FOJ) is sponsoring a Jocassee Fireside Chat (JFC) series in 2025 to educate and inspire our community about this wonderful place where we live. FOJ seeks to encourage members and non-members alike to conserve the Jocassee Gorges, and a great way to do that is by bringing awareness and educaHng others about this mysterious, wonderful and unique ecosystem that deserves protecHon for future generaHons.

There will be four “fireside chats” where aMendees can learn about a parHcular topic in a casual social seNng. Some of these sessions will be in different places, so the community can get a beMer sense of where the Jocassee Gorges are located. We call the area the Jocassee Gorges but where exactly is that? The best definiHon as defined by the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges highlights the area of Upstate SC from the northeast corner with Sassafras Mountain down to Scenic Highway 11 west through Keowee-Toxaway State Park over to Devil’s Fork State Park and up to the NC/SC State Line.

At each JFC, a membership drive for Friends of Jocassee will take place. Friends of Jocassee has a goal to double its membership this year so that our nonprofit can invest in significant conservation projects to maximize the impact in the region. In addition, by hosting “fireside chats” it creates an opportunity for members to connect with each other and be a part of a larger conservation effort right here in the Upstate. Some of the JFC’s will be open to the public with encouragement to join FOJ, and others are planned to be “members only” events. This way, there will be something to appeal to everyone.

The Jocassee Fireside Chat calendar is as follows:

At each JFC, a membership drive for Friends of Jocassee will take place. Friends of Jocassee has a goal to double its membership this year so that our nonprofit can invest in significant conservaHon projects to maximize the impact in the region. In addiHon, by hosHng “fireside chats” it creates an opportunity for members to connect with each other and be a part of a larger conservaHon effort right here in the Upstate. Some of the JFC’s will be open to the public with encouragement to join FOJ, and others are planned to be “members only” events. This way, there will be something to appeal to everyone.

Feb. 21: Mysteries of Migration, American Bird Conservancy

June 3: Salivating over Salamanders, Jocassee Naturalists

The Jocassee Fireside Chat calendar is as follows:

Sept. 22: Broad-Winged Hawk Migration, Hawk Watch Facilitators

February 21: Mysteries of MigraHon, American Bird Conservancy

Dec. 13: Stumphouse Tunnel Bats, Clemson Biologists

June 3: SalivaHng over Salamanders, Jocassee Naturalists

Sept 22: Broad-Winged Hawk MigraHon, Hawk Watch Facilitators Dec 13: Stumphouse Tunnel Bats, Clemson Biologists

Our first event in February was a huge success! GarreM Rhyne from American Bird Conservancy spoke to us about the ways scienHsts use different tools to learn about migraHon paMerns, specifically radio telemetry. Bird banding was the first approach scienHsts used to understand

Our first event in February was a huge success! Garrett Rhyne from American Bird Conservancy spoke to us about the ways scientists use different tools to learn about migration patterns, specifically radio telemetry. Bird banding was the first approach scientists used to understand where birds go during migration, but it is very hard to recapture the bird to draw conclusions. VHF

(continued on next page)

(continued from page 19)

and GPS tags are also used but due to their size, are limited to larger birds like turkeys and raptors. Geolocators were introduced, but again, recapture is required and occurs 10-15% of the time. Thus, Motus (which means movement in Latin) was introduced using a network of antennas to detect birds, bats, and even Monarch butterflies. The advantage of these transmitters is they are very small and don’t require recapture.

In addition, the group learned a few ways all of us can help migrating birds:

The biggest threat is deforestation, both on the stop over areas and breeding grounds. Keeping trees and native plants in your yards and giving stopover sites extra space when the migrating birds arrive assists migration.

Second, keeping your cats inside helps. Cats kill between 1-4 billion birds a year. Cats are great pets, but they are instinctively programmed to kill birds.

Other ways we can help migrating birds is to protect our windows from reflections to avoid bird collisions. Roughly 800 million birds are killed this way every year.

Finally, keep your outside lights dark during periods of heavy migration in the spring and fall. Most birds migrate at night and use the moon and the stars for navigation. Light pollution can confuse the birds and throw them off-course. There are even some cities, like Austin TX, that have a ‘Lights Out’ initiative where downtown buildings dim their lights during the most active nights of migration. It was interesting to learn that even home residences contribute to 34% of the bird collisions.

Our venue was Jocassee Valley Brewing. It provided an engaging atmosphere for social connection after the talk. They brought in live music and a food truck, and a good time was had by all. We hope to add more events as interest and scheduling allows. Come satisfy your curiosity, meet like-minded friends and join us!

Scholarship Recipient Attending South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics

BY ISAAC KANAGY, 2024 Jack Lewis Scholarship Recipient, Junior, SC Governor’s School

This year I received a Jack Lewis Scholarship. I joined the South Carolina Adopt-a-Stream program and tested a stream near Lake Keowee for a period of six months, in order to fulfill the requirements of the scholarship and learn about the waters around my home. I would like to thank FOLKS for supporting this program. I have learned so much about stewarding of our watershed, and how testing can identify issues and protect our resources.

I live with my parents in Seneca, near Lake Keowee, but I currently attend the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) in Hartsville, South Carolina. It is a residential school; I live in a dorm with 150 other guys and share a room with a friend. I am attending GSSM for my last two years of high school and will graduate from GSSM rather than from Walhalla High School. Since I am away from home, I completed the testing of my stream each month when I came home for my three-day break.

I chose to attend GSSM because I am interested in STEM. I plan to major in engineering and GSSM offers a variety of engineering courses. While I am more interested in the engineering courses that GSSM offers, they also have other high-level classes in disciplines including computer science, health sciences, physics, chemistry, and some that touch closer to the focus of the Jack Lewis Scholarship and of FOLKS. For example, the school offers classes in environmental science, marine biology, and botany.

One unique experience GSSM offers is their Interim. At GSSM students

(Top photo) Me in Peru. (Bottom two photos) Me in class at the South Carolina Governer’s School for Science and Mathematics.

have the entire month of January off from regular class schedules. Students choose one class or experience to complete in January. Students can stay at the school and learn a skill or take a trip with an instructor from the school.

This year there were courses at the school on quilting, bee keeping, HAM radio, etc. There were also skill-based courses offered nearby such as SCUBA certification and a glider school.

(continued on page 27)

Outdoor Emergency • Safety • Prevention • Rescues

Two outer pea-less chambers create Neon Green Yellow

(continued from page 25)

Students are also offered the opportunity to travel overseas with their peers and instructors. This year I chose to go on the Peru interim, which was with the botany teacher. This was an amazing experience! I learned about the flora and the wildlife of Peru. We stayed in Peru a total of eleven days, and we visited their major city of Lima, as well as the Andes mountains, Machu Picchu (my personal favorite), and the Amazon jungle. In the Amazon, we took a lake safari around Lake Tambopata. We walked into the jungle for a mile, and then our guides took us around the lake looking at the wildlife. We saw howler monkeys, a plethora of birds, and giant freshwater otters. The guide told us that in his years of working there he had only seen those otters twice.

Completing the SC Adopt-a-Stream program before going to Peru was beneficial to me because I was more aware of the connection between how we conserve our watershed here in Oconee County and how they strive to protect the Amazon jungle. I will have an opportunity to work in a research lab this summer at Clemson. Some of the testing methodology that I used during the Adopt-a-Stream program may come in handy this summer. However, the main benefit of the program was that it refined my skills with the scientific method in general, and this is something I will carry into this summer and far beyond into my career. Thank you again for this opportunity!

I have learned so much about stewarding of our watershed, and how testing can identify issues and protect our resources.

Our 2025 Jack Lewis Watershed Stewardship Scholarship Candidates

BY KATE CLEVER, FOLKS Scholarship Liaison

Friends of Lake Keowee Society (FOLKS) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Jack Lewis Watershed Stewardship Scholarship: Kaitlynn Burrell, Isaac Poore, and Hailie Roberts of Walhalla High School; Caleb Crooks of West Oak High School; and Jamie Turner of Daniel High School. FOLKS established the Jack Lewis Watershed Stewardship Scholarship to provide college financial support to high school students showing a strong interest in natural resource conservation and the environment. FOLKS’s intent is that these scholarships will not only engage students in our community but also inspire them to be advocates for the environment, whether local or global.

Each scholarship candidate is a resident of either Oconee or Pickens County, a full-time high school candidate in good academic standing, and classified as either a sophomore or junior during the 2024-2025 school year. To fulfill the scholarship requirements, each recipient will monitor a designated stream segment for a period of six months, adhering to SC Adopt-a-Stream protocol. Students will present the results of their sampling efforts to the FOLKS Board of Directors and Advisors and the Scholarship Selection Committee.

Funding for this year’s scholarships is made available through the FOLKS operating budget and endowments from Melanie Fink and Associates – The Allen Tate Realtors, The Cliffs Resident Outreach Program, Justin Winters and Associates – Forbes Global Properties, and donations from FOLKS members.

FOLKS convened a Scholarship Selection Committee that included FOLKS supporters and members of local communities and businesses. These individuals reviewed the six applications, and selected the recipients based on the committee’s collective input. We would like to acknowledge each of the Selection Committee Members:

Dr. John Hains is a FOLKS board member. As a limnologist and aquatic ecologist for many years, he has been a regular author of water and lake-related articles for KEOWEE magazine. Dr. Hains is a retired associate professor for the Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, and remains active with Clemson Public Service and Agriculture, identifying aquatic plants and algae for the Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic.

Christine Hettinger is a retired environmental chemist who spent 30 years in the chemical industry, environmental laboratories, and engineering firms. Throughout her career, she led the cleanup and disposal of hazardous chemicals, and in compliance with the EPA, remediation of Superfund sites on military bases. She continues to care for the environment in the

“The Jack Lewis Watershed Scholarship stands out among service scholarships in our watershed because it goes beyond financial support; it’s an opportunity for students to turn their interest in the environment into meaningful action. This scholarship connects students to a place they care about by encouraging them to become certified in water quality monitoring, engage in monthly monitoring events, and ultimately present their findings. It’s not just about learning; it’s about doing — building skills, practicing communication, and contributing to real conservation efforts. Few scholarships offer this kind of hands-on experience, where students don’t just receive support but also gain a sense of purpose and connection to their local watershed. More importantly, it gives students the space to reflect on their impact and consider the kind of difference they want to make in the world.”

Amanda Gladys Science Department Chair Green Steps Team Leader Walhalla High School

Upstate by volunteering her time with the water quality program for high school and middle school students and at the SC Botanical Gardens as a Master Naturalist, working with elementary school students in the Junior Naturalist program.

Nancy Johnston is a retired school librarian and currently serves on the Oconee United Ministries Board. She is a certified Master Gardener and a member of the Master Gardeners of the Foothills. She has also served on the board of Keep Oconee Beautiful Association.

Kay Wade has called the Jocassee area of Salem, SC home for over 15 years. Kay and husband Brooks Wade are co-owners of Jocassee Lake Tours. She also works with children and adults through the nonprofit, Jocassee Wild Outdoor Education, to raise awareness of this unique and important place called the Jocassee Gorges.

MEET OUR SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Congratulations to the five students who were selected as candidates for the 2025 Jack Lewis Watershed Stewardship Scholarship:

Caleb Crooks, Sophomore, West Oak High School

Jamie Turner, Junior, D.W. Daniel High School

“My name is Caleb Crooks, and I am a hunting and fishing enthusiast who was born and raised swimming, fishing, and boating on Lake Keowee and the streams feeding it. I am an A honor roll student at West-Oak High School and play for the WOHS Varsity Soccer and Tennis Teams. My family and I enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and traveling to Colorado to fish, ski, and be in the mountains every chance we get. I look forward to learning about water conservation and hope to keep the water clean here in our county for future generations.”

Hailie Roberts, Junior, Walhalla High School

“I am a student at D. W. Daniel High School in the class of 2026. I applied for the Jack Lewis Watershed Stewardship Scholarship because I am interested in nature and environmental conservation. I am hoping to major in chemistry or biological sciences when I graduate. I also participate in cross country, academic team, and concert choir at Daniel High School.”

Kaitlynn Burrell, Junior, Walhalla High School

“I applied for the Jack Lewis Scholarship because I want to be able to help my family with paying for college tuition and fees, so they will be able to help my other siblings attend college as well and give them the same opportunities that they have given me. My interests are playing sports, including cheer and volleyball, as well as majoring in nursing. I enjoy listening to music, reading novels, and baking.”

Issac Poore, Sophomore, Walhalla High School

“I was prompted to apply for this scholarship due to my interest in the outdoors. I aspire to have the opportunity to expand my knowledge of the outdoors by furthering my education. I enjoy hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors. In addition, I also compete in Track and Field, Cross Country, and the fishing team for Walhalla High School.”

“Whenever the Jack Lewis Watershed Stewardship Scholarship was offered at my school, I immediately jumped at the opportunity because I felt I could relate to its values, and I aspired to uphold the lessons it will provide through college. I have always enjoyed the presence of nature and knowing what to do in all instances, which is what pushed me to get an education in veterinary medicine and work with it in my future career. This scholarship was an offer I could never pass up, because I take every agriculture class I am able to. This will help me grow in my leadership abilities and education in my natural biological sciences major.”

Kaitlynn is also highly active with Walhalla’s JROTC program, and the commander of the Walhalla Rifle team. She placed in the nation at the American Legion Nationals match in 2025.

FOLKS appreciates all of the support we received for our scholarship initiative again this year. Through this effort, we are discovering a comforting consistency; this next generation brims with positive determination and solid appreciation of our environment.

To learn more about FOLKS and the Jack Lewis Watershed Stewardship Scholarship visit our website at www.folkskeowee.org/scholarship

Caleb Crooks, Sophomore, West Oak High School

ve students who were selected

“Whenever the Jack Watershed Stewardship Scholarship was jumped at the opportunity because I felt I could relate to its lessons it will provide through college. I have always enjoyed what to do in all instances, which is what pushed me to get work with it in my future career. This scholarship was an offer agriculture class I am able to, so I will grow in my leadership

Kaitlynn is also highly active with Walhalla’s JROTC program, e team. She placed in the nation at the American Legion

Starting Spring with Boating Safety

BY MELISSA HIGGS, FOLKS Communications Manager

FOLKS held their first speaker’s event of the 2025 series, Boating Safety, on March 13, at the World of Energy. Over 100 people came to enjoy talking with others about their favorite pastime, boating.

Boating safety matters because in 2023, 174 accidents were reported statewide to the Law Enforcement Investigations Section of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. These included 21 fatalities and 65 injuries. Forty eight percent of these occurred on a Saturday or Sunday.

A day at the lake should be a time for relaxation and enjoyment. Practicing safe boating will prevent unexpected problems. Make sure you are prepared. Have a certified boating administrator conduct a vessel check and pack items you will need if there were an emergency. Safety checklists are available on the internet. The 2025 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources boating safety checklist can be found a www.dnr.sc.gov/ boating/forms/BoatingSafetyChecklist.pdf

Make sure everyone who will be driving your vessel, whether a jet ski or a pontoon, or anything in between, has taken a boating course. Kayakers and paddle boarders should be knowledgeable, too. The SC Department of Natural Resources provides classes online and in-person. More information is available at www.register-ed.com.

FOLKS would like to thank the speakers and our sponsor for this exemplary event.

Brian Hackley and Ron Osburn from America’s Boating Club - Golden Corner Lakes and Capt. Fred Parkell of TowBoat U.S. shared their expertise and insights. Their knowledge and dedication to keeping Lake Keowee safe are truly appreciated!

Brian Hackley and Ron Osburn, Educational Officers for America’s Boating Club®-Golden Corner Lakes, are certified by the National Association of Safe Boating Administrators (NASBLA). Brian, a lifelong boater, took the

United States Power Squadrons’s Boating Safety Class in 2007 and has served in various capacities with America’s Boating Club-Golden Corner Lakes, most recently as Educational Officer. He and his wife Wendy can be found on their pontoon boat looking at wildlife and sunsets almost any time of the year.

Ron Osburn has been a member of the United States Power Squadron for 27 years. He has been Commander of the Golden Corner Lakes Sail and Power Squadron twice, Commander of District 26 and a Rear Commander at the national level. He is a former school teacher and loves teaching the boating class. Ron is a NSBLA Certified Instructor and a Boat Operator Certification Instructor. Americas Boating Club-Golden Corner Lakes can be reached at www.usps. org/index.php/sss-home.

Fred Parkell, Lake Keowee Captain, has a lifetime of experience with boating. Fred retired from law enforcement and continues to utilize his boating expertise with TowboatU.S. Fred holds an Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels license (OUPV) and is a United States Coast Guard Captain, along with National Safe Boating Council Instructor and a PADI certified scuba diver. With all of his certification, he is able to help within the whole company from training to salvage operations. TowBoatU.S. can be reached at www.boatus.com.

We would also like to express our gratitude to Tony Gody, for speaking about FOLKS and our mission, helping to spread awareness about the work we do to protect and preserve Lake Keowee, and to The Cason Group - Keller Williams Seneca North, for generously sponsoring our 2025 Speaker Series events. Your support helps us continue to bring valuable educational opportunities to our community.

While you do not have to be a member to attend FOLKS Speaker Series events, the organization needs membership support for their programs. More information is available at www.keoweefolks.org.

ABOUT LAKE KEOWEE

Lake Keowee impounds the Little River and Keowee River and has two dams and four saddle dikes. It has a surface area of 17,660 acres and roughly 388 miles of shoreline.

Public Boat Ramps:

Crowe Creek Landing

Keowee Town Landing

Cane Creek Landing

Stamp Creek Landing

Fall Creek Landing 1

Fall Creek Landing II

County Parks

Mile Creek County Park

South Cove County Park

High Falls County Park

State Parks

Keowee-Toxaway State Park

Devil’s Fork State Park

Lake Marinas

Marina

UPCOMING SPEAKERS

MARCH 13 2:30 PM – 4 PM World of Energy – Seneca Boating on Lake Keowee

APRIL 17 2:30 PM – 4 PM World of Energy – Seneca Energy Production Nuclear and Hydro

MAY 15 2:30 PM – 4 PM

World of Energy – Seneca Fishing on Lake Keowee

JUNE 18 5 PM – 7 PM

Keowee Key Event Center History of the Area

JULY 16 5 PM – 7 PM

Keowee Key Event Center Hiking in the Area – Foothills Trail

AUGUST 14 2:30 PM – 4 PM World of Energy – Seneca Water Resources – Clemson Extension

SEPTEMBER 10 5 PM – 7 PM

Keowee Key Event Center Oconee County Sheriff

OCTOBER 9 2:30 PM – 4 PM

World of Energy – Seneca Shoreline Management Update

Check our website for signups and updates — KeoweeFOLKS.org BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Corporate & Business Members

We appreciate the support of our Corporate and Business Members and know that they will appreciate your patronage. When you do so, please thank them for supporting FOLKS.

CORPORATE MEMBERS

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, Inc.

City of Seneca

David Vandeputte—Joan Herlong Sotheby’s International Realty

Duke Energy

Greenville Water

Greg Coutu—Allen Tate Realty

Keller Williams Seneca Keowee North—Patti & Gary Cason, Melissa Cason Custer, Corey Custer

Keowee Key Property Owners Assn.

Oconee Federal Savings & Loan

Stoneledge Home Owners Association

The Cliffs Fall South HOA

The Reserve at Lake Keowee

BUSINESS MEMBERS

Action Services of Oconee, Inc

Advocates for Quality Development

Allen Tate—John Pulliam

Backwater Landing

Blue Ridge Bank

Carolina Bay Healing Spring Waters

Carolina Wealth Management

Classic Lighting

Custom Dock Systems, Inc.

Dolly’s Roofing

Dorn’s Landscape Service

For the Birds, Inc.

Golden Corners Lakes Sail & Power Squadron

Goldie & Associates

Justin Winter & Associates Forbes Global Properties

Keller Williams, Seneca— Chuck & Eva Gouge with Sandy Hadesty

Keowee North Marine

Kingfisher Maps

Kroeger Marine Construction

Lake Keowee Marina

Melanie Fink and Associates—Allen Tate Realty

Metal Lake Maps— Ken Van Natta

Northwestern Supply

Porch Conversion of Seneca

Rainmaker Ponds and Irrigation

Sexton Griffith Custom Builders, LLC

Shorescapes, Inc

Strickland Marine and RV

The Boat Dock Company

The Cliffs at Keowee Falls

The Happy Berry

The Lake Company —Lake Keowee

The Wine Emporium

T & M Custom Docks

Upstate Insurance Agency

Vassey Financial Planning and Investments

Waterford Pointe HOA

Osprey, or Pandion haliaetus, nest from late March to April. “Around 2 feet long [with] a wingspan of more than 5 feet across, these fish-eating birds stick close to bodies of water. Using their incredibly sharp beaks and talons, they can dive at up to 70 miles per hour to catch their prey.” (Source: https://blogs.clemson.edu/extension/osprey-nesting-season/)

Cason, Melissa Cason Custer, Corey Custer , Gary Cason

Photo by Dave Head

EXTRAS

Why Join FOLKS?

FOLKS’s 30-year history has been built upon the pillars of our mission statement that clearly focuses our efforts on advocacy, conservation, and education—ACE. Our achievements over the past few years:

ADVOCACY

• Stakeholder for relicensing efforts in the watershed

• Uniting voice in the state for boating safety

• Sustained efforts with litter cleanup and prevention

• Ombudsman and information resource for members and communities

CONSERVATION

• Adopt-a-Stream water quality monitoring

• Bi-annual Lake Sweeps and Island Keepers programs

• Installation of fish habitat—Since 2022 FOLKS installed more than 215 Dock Pro Kits and over 400 larger fish habitats throughout the lake

• Bluebird nesting boxes and osprey platforms

EDUCATION

• Publication of the magazine—KEOWEE

• Jack Lewis Watershed Stewardship Scholarship Program—We have selected 6 local high school students for the 2024–25 program.

• Bill Miller Adopt-a-Stream Lending Library— Provided $5,000 funding for local area schools to support stream monitoring efforts

• Outreach to local Home Owners Associations

• Presentations to at Newcomers, Rotaries, and community presentations at World of Energy

We are excited about continuing our stewardship of preserving the lake and serving as stakeholder on important lake and watershed issues. We are focusing our efforts this year on more community engagement and working with local area schools to help them develop meaningful STEM projects. Join our team of volunteers and become a member!

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Check one: ¨ New Member ¨ Renewal

Mail to: FOLKS C/O, The Alliances, 1201 N. Fant St., Anderson, SC 29621

Name

Phone

Occupation (past/present)

¨ I would like to know about volunteer opportunities. Please contact me.

Our membership form is also online at KeoweeFOLKS.org or scan the QR code. Dues and donation are tax-deductible.

FOLKS is a 501(c)(3) public service watershed organization.

MEMBERSHIP LEVELS

Student $15/yr

Family $45/yr

Patron $100/yr

Sponsor $250/yr

Benefactor $500/yr

Sustainer $1,000 or more (lifetime membership)

Business $100/yr

Corporate $500/yr

Option for digital copy only of the newsletter

Follow FOLKS on our Facebook page: @KeoweeFOLKS

FOLKS ADVERTISING PARTNERS

864.638.6642

FRIENDS OF LAKE KEOWEE SOCIETY, INC.

C/O The Alliances 1201 N. Fant St., Anderson, SC 29621

INVESTING IN TOMORROW

Melanie Fink & Associates Champion Youth Environmental Stewardship

Melanie Fink & Associates with Allen Tate Realtors is delighted to announce its support for the Jack Lewis Watershed Stewardship Scholarship, a vital initiative dedicated to fostering environmental awareness and stewardship among young people. This scholarship program aims to inspire and empower the next generation to preserve and maintain the health of our local lakes and watersheds.

As a company deeply committed to the wellbeing of our community and its natural resources, Melanie Fink & Associates recognizes the importance of educating youth about sustainable practices and

environmental conservation. The Jack Lewis Watershed Stewardship Scholarship not only invests in the future of our children but also ensures the continued care of our beloved

lake and its surrounding ecosystem.

“We are honored to support this incredible cause,” said Melanie Fink, founder of Melanie Fink & Associates.

“The scholarship embodies our shared vision of protecting the environment while nurturing the potential of young minds to become tomorrow’s leaders in sustainability.”

For more information about the Jack Lewis Watershed Stewardship Scholarship, how to contribute or how to apply, visit www.keoweefolks.org/ scholarship

Together, we can create a brighter, cleaner future for generations to come.