KEOWEE

FRIENDS OF LAKE KEOWEE SOCIETY

FOLKS BOARD CORNER

By Dale Wilde, President, FOLKS

This has been a wild and crazy spring and summer! It has also been a fun and travel-filled summer. FOLKS is fortunate to have dedicated volunteers who have helped with our events. Our biggest event—the Spring Lake Sweep had over 100 volunteers who worked more than 500 hours to pick up over 200 bags of litter and numerous large items such as dock floats. We cannot thank those volunteers enough for their continued efforts with keeping our lake litter free. Our fall lake sweep will be in late September. This will be the last lake sweep led by Scott Calderwood. After years of dedicated service, he is stepping down. If you are interested in taking over this lead position, please contact us at folks@keoweefolks.org or sign up on our volunteer page on our website.

Our successful speaker series events, led by our board member Stephen Schutt, will continue through November. They will

be held at the World of Energy on the second Thursdays of the month. We hope to see many of you there. Our website (keoweefolks.org) also has a sign-up link for each event, and a calendar of events is on the back of this magazine.

A big effort has been put into the Bad Creek reauthorization project and proposed building of Bad Creek II. As a stakeholder for this important project, the board has dedicated many hours to reading documents, attending meetings, participating in discussions, and writing comments. We plan to detail more of this effort in a Special Edition of KEOWEE this fall.

We recently were asked to be a stakeholder for the Duke Energy Shoreline Management Plan update. This very important effort will impact how stakeholders will be able to undertake future conservation projects. Board member, Stephen Schutt, will take the lead on this effort, but all board members will contribute to the process.

This issue of KEOWEE will focus on preserving our natural resources. Our Communications Director, Melissa Higgs, has coordinated with many article writers to paint a complete picture of how FOLKS works with and supports many different groups and agencies to fulfill our mission of advocacy, conservation, and education. Her son, Jackson Higgs, who was one of our Scholarship students last

(continued on page 4)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dale Wilde, President

Howard Gutenstein, Vice President

Sam Savoca, Secretary

David Metzger, Treasurer Dr. John Hains

Stephen Schutt

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Scott Calderwood, Lake Sweep

Paul Gibbons, Adopt-an-Island

Ann Savoca, Adopt-a-Lake

Endowment/Finance David Metzger

Events/Advertising

HEP Committee Rep. Dale Wilde

HEP Committee Alt. Howard Gutenstein

Basin Commission Dr. John Hains

LKSWPT Liaison Suzy McKinney Dale Wilde

Web Administrator Sam Savoca

Communications Melissa Higgs Manager

Magazine Editor Susan Pleadwell

Design Director Kristy Adair, Community Journals

Advisors

Gody Ann Savoca

Greg Prisk

Johnson Au-Yeung

Troy Knauss

Suzy McKinney Rick Sommer folks@keoweefolks.org

is not responsible for the claims made by the advertisers.

year, has been contributing articles to the magazine. In this issue, he will discuss his efforts with Adopt-AStream in the Cane Creek area. Our advocacy efforts historically have focused on water quality and boating safety. We stay this course because this is the biggest impact to our members and our watershed. To that end, we communicate regularly with Senator Alexander to express our concern that the current wake zone bill does not include reference to the shoreline. The bill only addresses the requirement that all boats maintain idle speed 100 feet from a dock, boat, or person in the water and all ballasted (wake boats) maintain idle speed 200 feet away. We have asked legislators to consider adding a ballast limit for

wake boats and to include language to protect the shoreline. With regard to water quality monitoring, Dr. John Hains and Dr. Ann Savoca have been developing a new lake monitoring program that we hope to roll out by the winter.

We continue to make progress with our conservation efforts in the watershed. We are wrapping up our final plantings at the heron rookery near the Crowe Creek Public Landing. The plantings will help to prevent, and at least slow down, the erosion of the shoreline in a very busy area of the lake. With water levels being either too high or drought conditions, the timing needs to be just right to ensure the plantings survive. We have also supported the High Falls County

Park with the purchase of over $1,300 of native plants for their pollinator garden. We continue to look for conservation projects to undertake in the watershed— especially with local high schools. The Duke Energy Shoreline Management Plan is scheduled to be updated by 2026. FOLKS will work on this update alongside numerous other stakeholders.

In addition to our successful 2024 speaker series, FOLKS has made its greatest strides with education programming in the past 12 months. We have increased our support of science, technology, education, and math (STEM) efforts in several local schools—from elementary to high schools. We are always looking for ways to support local schools.

BOARD MEMBERS NEEDED

Looking toward the future, our current board has been serving in their positions for over three years. We need to increase the size of board to enable new growth and new ideas. If you are interested in a great opportunity to make a difference in the Lake Keowee watershed, please consider joining our board. I have been President for almost four years, and it has been one of the most rewarding things I have done. I have met hundreds of people who are committed to preserving this beautiful area that we all call home. Join our team! Make a difference!

Speaker Event Series

BY STEPHEN SCHUTT, FOLKS Board Member, Oconee County PRT Project Manager

Liz Johnson, Park Superintendent from High Falls County Park, retold the “History Under the Waters of Lake Keowee” at the FOLKS history talk in June. Johnson is helping preserve the Alexander-Cannon-Hill House located at High Falls Park, which used to be part of the town that existed around the original Pickens Courthouse.

Over 130 residents attended the event. Jennifer Moss, Curator of the Oconee History Museum, provided the researched evidence for the talk. The lake has been a resource for the region since the 1960s. Prior to that, the area was populated by the Cherokee, colonials, and settlers who farmed the land. An excerpt from Moss notes:

Through archaeological evidence, we know that people had inhabited the lands of the Keowee Valley for thousands of years. However, written evidence of indigenous peoples became available only when explorers and settlers entered the area. Explorers like naturalist William Bartram and botanist Andre Michaux documented the lifestyles of the Cherokee as they encountered them on their journeys. The area that is now Oconee and Pickens Counties was known as the Cherokee Lower Towns. Around 30 villages existed in what is now Oconee County. The capital of the Cherokee Lower Towns was Keowee, known in the Cherokee language as “The Place of the Mulberry.” In 1721, Keowee recorded a population of 168 men, 155 women, and 127 children. Keowee was a flourishing town and a central spot on the trading paths that crossed the mountains on the way to ports along the coast.

In order to ensure the continued legacy of the Keowee region, the speaker series event in August focused on preventing

litter and illegal dumping around Lake Keowee. Corporal Isaiah Yoder provided information on the efforts of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office. He is part of the county’s Proactive Criminal Enforcement (PACE) Unit with litter enforcement. His team, which includes him, one other officer, and one inmate, picks up an average of 80,000 pounds of litter in Oconee County each year. They conduct targeted enforcement where they sift through the trash to find the owner’s name on mail or receipts. They are able to charge the offender with a county ordinance that gives the offender the opportunity to pick up litter instead of paying a fine. FOLKS also helps with our litter problem as our members have picked up over 20,000 bags of trash in the last 30 years.

You can sign up for one of our Lake Sweeps, if you want to help (keoweefolks.org). If you see an issue with litter in Oconee County, contact Corporal Yoder at iyoder@oconeelaw.com or 864-638-4111.

The next talk, on September 19, 2024, will address Living with Bears—a hot topic of late. With all of the development around the lake, bears are finding their way into more populated areas. Please be sure to register on the FOLKS website (keoweefolks.org), if you plan to attend. We need to know how many people to plan for.

Paddle Sports Safety

BY SUE DRAGOO, Public Relations Officer

America’s Boating Club®—Golden Corner Lakes

Activity on the water takes many forms. A lot of us are incidental boaters and the boat is simply a vehicle to our destination; however, some of us are out on the water for other forms of recreation, such as engaging in paddle sports. We all face similar risks. Paddle sports represent the fastest growing part of boating. Kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and rowing are enjoyable opportunities to get close to nature, have a great time, and get some quality exercise in the process!

Whether you are planning on canoeing or kayaking on a lake, river, or ocean, you will need to plan your outing based on the environment, and you must know your craft to make a fun and safe trip. Be aware that anything can happen at any time. When it does, you need to be mentally and physically fit.

I’d like to share some common tips for the safe enjoyment of paddle sports. As we venture out on the water, we should know and understand the rules and required equipment and practice basic safe boating.

LIFE JACKETS/HEADGEAR

I can’t stress too much the importance of wearing a good life jacket designed specifically for your active sport. They are not only essential but also required for anyone paddling on the water. Kayaking and other paddle sports require flexibility to handle paddles. Life jackets for these sports are lightweight and allow freedom to use arms and body to propel the boat. Protective headgear is essential for such activities as river kayaking where you may encounter rapids and rocks.

KNOW THE WATERS IN YOUR AREA

It’s a good idea to know where you are at all times even if under normal conditions you would be within sight of land. Check your chart to see if navigational aids identify known hazards. Watch for buoys or daymarks. Shallow waters can be particularly hazardous as a fall may cause impact with rocks or obstacles. Carry a compass to help you locate your position.

CHECK THE WEATHER BEFORE DEPARTURE

Next to running out of fuel, bad weather spoils more boating days than anything else. Plan your trip with the knowledge that the weather at the beginning of the day may not be the same at the end. Learn what conditions are acceptable for your vessel. Some key reminders are: anticipate bad weather; check forecasts before departure; monitor weather reports and maintain a watch; and seek shelter if adverse conditions occur.

PROPER LOADING

Regardless of your boat’s design, you should always place heavier items in the rear so that the bow of the boat is higher above the water than the stern. Use a dry bag for items such as food, clothing, cellular phone, and cameras. D-hooks provide for fast removing or attaching your equipment since you never know when you may capsize or a wave will come across your hull.

HANDLING

Kayaks are less stable than canoes because of the width and because they have less freeboard. To safely get in or out of a canoe or kayak, it’s important to maintain “three points of contact” using your hands and feet. When you sit, don’t lean to the right or left. Standing up or moving about in a canoe or kayak greatly increases the chance of capsizing as does any sudden movement. When retrieving something from the water, reach with your paddle or guide the boat close to the object so you can grab the item from the water without leaning your shoulders over the side of the boat.

CURRENTS

You may be in dangerous currents. Also you may be far from rescue resources or help from passersby. Some people frequently

paddle alone or with only one other person. Paddlers are particularly at risk for “entrapment” occurring in flowing water when a boat becomes snagged on rocks or debris at a hazardous point (referred to as a strainer) then goes under due to the severe hydraulics of the water. Be aware of low-head dams. If you ever get separated from your boat in a swift current, float with your feet up and pointed downstream to protect your head and lessen the danger of entrapment.

LOW PROFILE

With a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, you have a low profile and may not been seen by other boats. Stay close to shore or large stationary objects.

MAKE YOURSELF VISIBLE

Use bright colors for your kayak, canoe, paddleboard, paddles, and clothing and place reflective disks or tape on your paddles.

EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

At a minimum, you should have adequate clothing and a spare change. Use dry bags for clothes, first aid supplies, cell phones, GPS, lights, and similar equipment. Have a compass for navigating, a chart to know where you are, and the required whistle to attract attention. Consider a spare paddle.

BE CAREFUL OF YOUR PROXIMITY TO OTHER VESSELS

You may not be easily seen. Usually you are the more maneuverable vessel; use that advantage and stay clear. When encountering larger vessels, remember the large boat may not be able to turn to avoid you even if it sees you; observe at a distance and maneuver to stay clear. Observe navigation rules—if meeting another vessel, stay to the right, pass port-to-port. If overtaking another vessel, pass to the left.

HYPOTHERMIA

Anyone participating in water sports should be aware of the danger of hypothermia.

STATE PADDLE SPORTS LAWS

And lastly, for those of you not acquainted with South Carolina’s laws and responsibilities regarding paddle boards, refer to South Carolina Paddlesports Requirements (from Handbook of South Carolina Boating Laws and Responsibilities: boat-ed.com/ southcarolina/handbook).

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) classifies paddleboards as vessels. Unless used in the surf at the beach like a surfboard, paddleboard users must comply with the USCG’s navigation

rules and safety requirements, which includes the following safety equipment:

• Personal flotation device (PFD). Paddleboards must have a readily accessible USCG-approved PFD for each person on board. Children under 12 years of age must wear an approved PFD.

• Sound-producing devices. Paddleboards must have on-board a sound-producing device, such as a policetype whistle.

• Visual distress signals (VSDs). Paddleboards must carry night signals when operating on federally controlled waters between sunset and sunrise.

• Navigation lights. Paddleboards must have at least a flashlight to use as a navigation light when operating between sunset and sunrise or during periods of restricted visibility.

Don’t be a speedbump to other boaters on the lake! (And have fun)!

For information about America’s Boating Club®-Golden Corner Lakes membership, boating safety classes, and activities, visit their website (gclsaps.com), your local boating club for Lakes Keowee, Hartwell, and Jocassee.

(A prior AQD blog told how Dr. Walker Miller, owner of The Happy Berry and a former president of Friends of Lake Keowee, secured a conservation easement to protect the 22-acre property, a popular destination for local lovers of fresh produce. This blog explains Dr. Miller’s new biochar initiative.)

Biochar—A ‘Burning’ Desire to Battle Climate Change

Given that burning fossil fuels helped create global warming, it might seem counterintuitive to think burning farm waste could help restore ecological balance. But that’s exactly what biochar advocates like Dr. Walker Miller believe.

While Dr. Miller, Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology and Physiology and Extension Specialist, retired from Clemson University in 1999, he has never stopped trying to help farmers find ways to produce crops with less reliance on chemicals.

Miller, who has owned The Happy Berry since 1979, is convinced his new biochar initiative will provide three major benefits: improve the soil, conserve water resources, reduce fertilizer/pesticide needs, and, most importantly, sequester carbon for thousands of years.

“Biochar offers a way for the world’s farmers to put carbon back in the ground for a long time,” Dr. Miller explains. “Researchers at Cornell University have calculated that if the world’s farmers converted all their agricultural debris to biochar, it would sequester one billion metric tons of carbon annually.”

WHAT IS BIOCHAR?

Biochar is created when farm waste streams (actually any organic waste) is burned at a very high temperature—over 900˚ F—without oxygen. This process, called pyrolysis, is accomplished in speciallydesigned kilns. The kilns can even be equipped with thermal-electric chimneys to capture excess energy for later use powering tractors or other farm equipment.

In the kiln, a sealed inner chamber contains the farm waste and prevents oxygen from entering. Starter fuel—usually scrap wood— is burned below in the kiln’s slender outer chamber. The goal is to raise the temperature of the farm waste so high that it keeps burning

until nothing is left except charcoal. (For technical readers, this is an exothermic process—one that continues without added energy input.) The char is then cooled and ground.

“I’m working with an engineer to create plans with exacting specifications for small farm use. I will share these plans for free,” Dr. Miller says. “Then, farmers can either have kilns built by local fabricators or create their own DIY units. I hope to have my own biochar system operating before year-end.”

Dr. Miller says the design of such kilns must ensure they’re easy to repair and offer 20- to 25-year life expectancies. Once exacting plans are available, he believes many farmers could install kiln by investing $5,000 to $8,000. Of course, costs might be higher depending on size and a farm’s waste stream.

HOW DOES BIOCHAR IMPROVE THE SOIL?

When it comes to improving the soil, biochar isn’t a new concept. Thousands of years ago, native people discovered that plants thrived where charcoal was left from fires. Dr. Miller notes that rich Amazon basin soil, called Terra Preta, was created by natives who added charcoal to the land year after year by setting fire to wood and covering it with soil to smolder by limiting oxygen.

A pile of biochar. Photo by Oregon Department of Forestry

Dr. Walker Miller

“Researchers at Cornell University have calculated that if the world’s farmers converted all their agricultural debris to biochar, it would sequester one billion metric tons of carbon annually.”

Char enriches the soil in several ways. First, its complex structure provides “housing” for a host of beneficial microorganisms, which, in turn, transport nourishment to the plants. The process increases drought tolerance and fertility, dramatically reducing the need for fertilizers. Since fertilizer manufacturing is a contributor to air pollution, biochar offers a side ecological benefit of giving farms a smaller carbon footprint.

So why did modern farmers quit using char? Economics, he explains. Fertilizers were cheaper, but their costs are steadily rising. Also, global warming has made the world consider the costs associated with preventing and cleaning up pollution. He hopes that someday soon farmers will be rewarded for sequestering carbon, which will make biochar investments even more feasible.

Dr. Miller’s biochar initiative isn’t his first foray into searching out non-chemical options to produce delicious blueberries, blackberries, seedless muscadines, persimmons, figs, mulberries, chestnuts, jujubes, and kiwis. For example, instead of using pesticides he uses natural pheromones to confuse male root borers that might otherwise attack his grapes. At the same time, he looks for strategies to attract bird species that actually help by feeding on pests and repelling depredation species.

The former professor is confident the folks who come to his u-pick farm or buy Happy Berry produce at dozens of local markets can taste the difference.

“Recently, Peru flooded the market with blueberries grown on large Agri-business farms,” he says. “The blueberries were mushy and tasteless. Not to mention all the energy wasted in shipping them here.”

In a good year, each of The Happy Berry’s blueberry bushes can produce 50 pounds of blueberries for local consumption. Counting all its varied fruit offerings, some 3,500 plants are carefully tended on the property.

Dr. Miller smiles as he notes farmers need to know more than physicians. “A physician just has to know one organism—the human body. A farmer has to understand multiple plant species, genetics, hydrology, soils, microorganisms—the whole raft of components that make up our complex ecosystems.”

Avid Happy Berry customers are happy that this doctor—Dr. Miller—continues to practice.

Visit www.Thehappyberry.com for more information on when to visit to pick or buy already-picked fruits ready to enjoy.

Citizen Science at Cane Creek

BY JACKSON HIGGS, 2023 Jack Lewis Watershed Scholarship Recipient and Oconee County 4-H Ambassador

Picture a green park, a wooden bridge, and water rushing over stones. Birds sing in a nearby tree and children run on the playground. Now, picture the stream covered with fast food wrappers, plastic bottles, and animal feces. The birds no longer sing because their airways have been choked by litter; no fish can swim in the water; and it’s too unsanitary for children to play on the playground. This horrible scenario is what South Carolina (SC) Adopt-A-Stream and the Friends of Lake Keowee Society (FOLKS) work to prevent.

SC Adopt-A-Stream, a program run by the Department of Environmental Services, and supported by FOLKS, encourages monitoring of the state waters to protect waterways. Volunteers track local streams’ pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, transparency, and E. coli levels, in order to determine the creek’s cleanliness. They then report their measurements to the SC Adopt-A-Stream database. Volunteers usually measure monthly and record data over a six-month period, which provides the public with a comprehensive view of stream health over a period of time. By having volunteers monitor the streams, citizens also have an opportunity to engage in scientific research, further democratizing the process.

I had the pleasure of monitoring Cane Creek for my FOLKS scholarship project last year. Cane Creek runs through a popular recreational area, Sertoma Field, and is near a population center, the City of Walhalla. If the creek is unhealthy, children who play near the creek are impacted by environmental hazards, and local wildlife that rely on the stream are affected. I am personally affected by Cane Creek due to its proximity to my high school and to Lake Keowee. Thousands of people live on or visit the lake every year, so the health of its tributaries is vital to South Carolina.

Monitoring Cane Creek taught me many useful life skills. Before the FOLKS scholarship, I had limited experience with scie ntific research outside of a high school lab setting, so stream monitoring provided me with opportunities to perform a handson experiment. I was able to directly correlate my findings with my community’s health. For example, a high amount of E. coli bacteria in the stream could directly affect the health of Walhalla residents. I learned that the data I collected could be used by county or city lawmakers in their policy decisions concerning our waterways. The FOLKS stream monitoring program gave me the opportunity to be a change maker, both from scientific and public policy standpoints.

Along with exposing me to scientific research, stream

Dissolved

monitoring also taught me the importance of precise measurements and the scientific method. In order for my data to be accurate, I had to maintain the same concentration of liquids from one experiment to the next. Every time that I performed a certain measurement (pH, dissolved oxygen, etc.), I had to do the experiment twice. If the data from the two trials were not within a certain range of one another, the experiment was invalid. This especially presented some difficulties with dissolved oxygen, which required precise amounts of chemicals for data collection to work properly. One drop too many or too little would completely change the measurement. When stream monitoring, I had to be patient and follow the scientific method. If my data did not meet proper standards, I would have to start again, even though it was inconvenient. Otherwise, I would not be providing an accurate picture to those who are trying to maintain local streams.

While I was monitoring Cane Creek, the stream remained relatively healthy. My stream had a dissolved oxygen count

higher than 5.5 mg/L throughout the experiment, with the oxygen levels increas ing as the water became colder. Dissolved oxygen levels higher than 3 mg/L are suitable for aquatic organisms, so Cane Creek was well within the range. My stream also stayed at 6.5 pH consistently, which is within the safe threshold, above too acidic (6.0) and below too basic (8.5) pH. However, the structure of the stream banks was unstable. Trees could not properly secure their roots, which led to a tree falling in Cane Creek midway through my stream monitoring. The fallen tree prevented the water from flowing on its normal course, which allowed me to observe a real time change in the ecosystem. Luckily, the flora and fauna around the stream were not greatly affected. My data remained relatively constant, with only dissolved oxygen levels changing drastically as the water became colder. E. coli levels remained low during the year.

The FOLKS Jack Lewis Watershed Scholarship for high school students made the stream monitoring that I performed on Cane Creek possible. This scholarship has allowed me and many others to follow their dreams to become better stewards of the environment. Through its scholarship program, FOLKS benefits our community in numerous ways. It inspires youth to be change makers in their community, teaches them the importance of preserving the environment, and allows them to make their own scientific discoveries. The FOLKS scholarship also gives high schoolers needed funding to fuel their dreams through a college education. Attending college equips students with the skills to be lifelong learners and community advocates. FOLKS’s stream monitoring scholarship does not just prepare kids for scientific research, it prepares them for life.

pH Test

Transparency Test

Shoreline Erosion

Trout Lilies and Trillium

BY MELISSA HIGGS, FOLKS Communications Manager and BROOKLYN ISELI, Walhalla High Student

Walhalla High School student Brooklyn

Iseli received a FOLKS grant for a dumpster beautification project. I asked Brooklyn to explain how she was able to participate in such a unique project.

How did you hear about the FOLKS beautification grant?

I heard about it from Ms. Gladys. I was a student in her Green Steps class.

Why did you select your design?

My original design was Monarchs and Milkweed, and then I walked the nature trail on campus. I saw all of the spring ephemerals, and I wanted to incorporate something that was on our campus. Also, I love trout lilies because they are the first spring flowers. I started out with the trout lilies but wanted to add the trillium because they are complementary in color and often share the same bloom time in the spring. I wanted to use primary colors because they are bright and can catch your attention.

What process did you follow as you completed your project?

Initially, I started by measuring the dumpster to get an idea of size and scale to get the proper dimensions for the design. I had to assemble several pieces of paper to lay it all out. I worked with my art teacher Mrs. Hunt and my mom to get input on balance and emphasis of the design. I wanted the focus to be on the trout lilies but also wanted to balance the colors and the trillium. I worked through the balance in the design with color of flowers, size of flowers and leaves, and the shapes of both. I initially planned to use spray paint for this design, but after a few trial runs I decided to go with a

medium I was more comfortable with, which turned out to be a brush and paint.

What was your takeaway after you finished the project?

I learned a lot from this project. I didn’t realize how big it was going to be. I had to learn how to paint on a scale larger than I was comfortable with. I learned how to work with, collaborate with, and accept feedback from many different people while the project was underway. It also taught me a lot about work ethic. I knew I had to get it done, and it took a lot of time and commitment. Since I had started this project it was my responsibility to finish it. After finishing it, I realized I have the skills to help mentor someone else with the interest of painting the other dumpster.

What would you say to others who want to do something for the environment?

I would say to just do it! There are so many benefits to this project—one of

them being everyone is able to enjoy a beautiful flower scene on a dumpster. I also get a lot of questions about the design like, “What is that flower?” It gives me the opportunity to talk about spring ephemerals and the beauty of our nature trail, and to bring attention to the Green Steps program and class. I would encourage anybody to start a beautification project because of the endless unexpected benefits.

The FOLKS Board would like to fund other community outreach projects for the Lake Keowee area. The Board has approved funds for the Girls Empowerment Camp and Boys Leadership Camp that support relationship building between youth and the Oconee Sheriff’s Department. FOLKS has also supported a Girl Scout water sampling project and Keep Oconee Beautiful’s STEM project for elementary and middle schools. Individuals or schools may email folks@keoweefolks. org to receive an application.

PHOTO BY ADIEN O’CONNOR

JUST ADD WATER:

A Recipe for Rainwater Harvesting and Management for the Home Landscape

BY ANASTON PORTER, Water Resources Agent, Pickens County Clemson Extension and SUSAN LUNT, Carolina Clear Coordinator/ Water Resources Extension Associate

Have you ever thought about where rainwater goes once it reaches your residential rooftop, parking lot, or impervious surfaces? If not effectively managed, stormwater runoff can be detrimental and costly to private property and can affect local waterways. In this article, we will discuss several options to help control stormwater flow on your property, while also contributing to the beauty of your landscape—a recipe for success!

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE (BMP) OPTIONS

The many different approaches to managing stormwater on your property include planting trees, installing rain barrels and rain gardens, avoiding soil compaction, implementing French drains, incorporating native plants, and installing pervious pavers. Each of these BMPs can work together as a “treatment train” for stormwater. For example, rain barrels can be installed with a rain garden at the base of the barrel outflow. The rain garden creates a depression that intercepts excess water and naturally recharges groundwater through infiltration.

LEARN MORE

If you are interested in learning more about rain gardens, consider taking Clemson’s “Master Rain Gardener” program! Visit Clemson.edu/extension/raingarden/mrg/index.html

Native plants are added to this area to help with physical, chemical, and biological actions that remove pollutants from runoff. For instance, sediment settles out, plants uptake nutrients, and microbes remove bacteria and metals. Plants native to the southeast, including perennials, grasses, and shrubs have deeper root systems that allows for better water absorption than traditional turf grass. The Carolina Yards plant database (clemson.edu/cy) can help with plant selection based on site conditions. And many local groups, such as the South Carolina Native Plant Society and Clemson’s Master Gardener Program hold annual native plant sales.

Water management programs that combine a variety of practices will lead to the best results in your residential landscape. Hiring a landscape consultant may be beneficial if you are unsure of where to begin. The Clemson Extension SC Certified Landscape Professionals Program provides a list of certified individuals in this area (https:// www.clemson.edu/extension/scclp/sc-certified-landscapeprofessionals.html). A responsible gardener will design a landscape that enhances the environment and reduces harmful runoff while also providing wildlife habitat. Soil sampling and testing can be used as a management tool to help in decisions related to fertilizer and limestone applications on your home landscape. For a nominal fee the Clemson University Agricultural Lab will test your soil’s pH, and offers several additional tests, such as organic matter, nitrate nitrogen, soluble salts, and bulk density.

MAINTENANCE

Dr. Bill Hunt, North Carolina State University said, “Show me a BMP that is not maintained, and I will show you a BMP that will fail.” Maintenance is key to keeping a well-functioning practice and helping reduce future problems and costs.

RAIN BARREL MAINTENANCE

• Clean gutters twice a year, more often if you have trees

• Paint the barrel a darker color to reduce algae growth

• Clear debris on screens after heavy storms

• Do not let water sit in the barrel for more than a week

RAIN GARDEN MAINTENANCE

• Inspect several times a year for undesirable plants, erosion, standing water present longer than 36 hours (about one and one half days), and signs of compaction

• Prune, thin, or remove plants in your rain garden to avoid overcrowding

• Regularly remove debris, such as litter and leaves blocking the inlet or overflow

• Install a rain gauge in or near the rain garden; ideally, rain gardens need one inch of rain per week

ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

A few benefits to managing stormwater on your property include less water flowing over the landscape, which leads to decreased potential for flooding. Flooding can cause thousands of dollars in damage over time if not addressed properly. Additionally, you can save on water utility bills by collecting water in your rain barrel. For a 1,000 square foot roof with four gutters or corners, a one inch of

rainfall can generate a total of 623 gallons of runoff! You can utilize this water during periods of drought to water your garden, wash your car, or store it for a time of need. Some plants prefer rainwater compared to treated city water. Treated water typically contains chlorine byproducts, which some plants would rather do without. Rainwater, unlike city water, does not have these chemicals and is superior for irrigation.

To learn more about rainwater harvesting, reference the Clemson Extension HGIC 1728, Best Practices for Application of Harvested Rainwater on Edibles and HGIC 1729, Rainwater Harvesting Systems Guidance for Schoolyard Applications. Also, download a free copy of the Rainwater Harvesting for Homeowners Guide. You can find a copy of this on Clemson Extension’s website (www.clemson.edu/ extension/) or you can reach out to your local Clemson Extension Water Resources Agent.

Fishing—A Team Sport

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

The Oconee County fishing team has grown from a modest club into a powerhouse, setting a high standard in competitive fishing. This transformation began in the fall of 2017, when a group of dedicated students at West-Oak High School formed the WestOak High School Fishing Club. With just four anglers and two boat captains, they embarked on their journey by participating in the Palmetto Boat Center High School Tournament Trail.

Over the years, the club expanded its reach, attracting students from various middle and high schools across Oconee County. By the fall of 2021, the club officially transferred to Hamilton Career and Technology Center (HCTC), where it was rebranded to represent all schools in the district. This reorganization reflected its growth and

the increasing interest in the sport among the student body.

Last year, the team reached new heights, boasting 29 teams, 29 boat captains, and 52 anglers. The 2023–2024 season proved to be particularly successful, marked by significant achievements that underscored the team’s dedication and talent. The high school team celebrated a historic achievement by finishing third overall on the Palmetto Boat Center Trail for the first time in its history. Among the standout performances were those of Hunter Bolt and Zander Morton, who clinched first place at Lake Murray and Hartwell’s tournaments. Their exceptional skills on the water earned them a combined $4,000 in scholarships, a testament to their hard work and commitment. These two anglers qualified to compete in the Bassmaster High School National Championship on Lake Chickamauga in Tennessee. They competed against 273 teams from 46 different states and Canada. These anglers qualified as freshmen and competed against seniors who will be joining college fishing teams in August. They hope to qualify again next season.

The middle school team also had a stellar season, finishing as one of the top four schools overall on the Palmetto Boat Center Trail, out of 20 competing schools for the third consecutive year. This consistent performance highlights the strength and depth of young talent within the district. Two of these fishermen, Landon Hopper and Noah Manley fished in The Bass Federation World Finals. They made it to the third day semifinal round in fifteenth place overall out of over 400 boats with anglers from all over the world. Hopper and Manley finished in twelfth place on semifinals day and missed the cut for the World Final Championship by 10 ounces. These young men will be competing at the high school level this school year.

The success of the HCTC fishing team is a result of the dedication of its members, the guidance of their coaches and boat captains, and the support of the community. As they continue to compete and grow, they not only bring pride to their schools but also set an example for others, proving that passion and perseverance can lead to extraordinary accomplishments.

Hunter Bolt and Zander Morton at the Bassmaster High School National Championship.

Palmetto Trail Celebrates 30 Years

BY MELISSA HIGGS, FOLKS Communications Manager and ROB ACHENBERG, Upstate Regional Trail Coordinator, Palmetto Trail

Lake Keowee is surrounded by a network of trails that make it a haven for hikers. The Palmetto Trail is celebrating 30 years this year. Here are a few reasons to celebrate this “Mountains to the Sea” Trail, which will be the 16th statewide trail in the nation.

Currently, 31 passages stretch over 390 miles. The goal is to form a network of 500 miles. Anne Springs Close, Founding Director of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, said, “The Trail is meant to bring people together—young and old, rich and poor. It’s not just for hardcore backpackers, but for families who want to get out into the woods.”

The connections formed on the trail don’t happen without the ongoing support of the Palmetto Conservation Corps, a division of Americorps, working together with the staff of Palmetto Conservation to support this significant task. According to the Palmetto Conservation website, the Corps exists to:

• conserve natural resources and wildlife habitats across South Carolina through trail building and maintenance;

• prepare a crew of young adults with training in disaster preparedness and provide relief in the event of a statewide disaster; and

• train the environmental leaders of tomorrow in natural resource management, environmental best practices, and disaster mitigation.

An eight-mile extension of the trail is currently under construction on the Gap Creek property in northern Greenville County. This trail will begin at Gap Creek Road, close to Highway 25, and connect with the Hospital Rock Trail that leads down to Jones Gap State Park.

Closer to Keowee, Palmetto Trail has recently signed an agreement with the Foothills Trail that allows Palmetto Trail to connect the Middle Saluda Passage at Caesars Head State Park to the Ross Mountain Passage at Oconee State Park. This section will be added to the following Palmetto Trail passages in Pickens and Oconee Counties:

• Blue Ridge Electric Co-op Passage. The Blue Ridge Electric Co-op Passage is a 12.6 mile passage that leads from Table Rock State Park to Highway 178. Once leaving the park, this passage winds through remote and rugged areas of the Jocassee Gorges Wilderness Area.

• Roundtop Mountain Passage. To access the Roundtop Mountain Passage park at the Sassafras Mountain Overlook parking lot and hike one mile on the Foothills Trail to the intersection with the Roundtop Mountain Passage. This 5.9 mile trail intersects with the Blue Ridge Electric Co-op Passage so you can continue to hike to Highway 178 or Table Rock State Park. Along the way, you can also enjoy the two-mile Carolina Hemlock Loop located off the Roundtop Mountain Passage to see the Carolina Hemlock and beautiful vista views.

• Eastatoe Passage. The trailheads for the Eastatoe Passage are located at the Dug Mountain Fishing Access off Roy F. Jones Highway and at Keowee-Toxaway State Park. This 4.6-mile hike winds along Eastatoe Creek with two suspension bridges crossing Eastatoe Creek and Little Eastatoe Creek.

• Oconee Passage. The trailheads for the Oconee Passage are located at Oconee State Park and off Oconee Station Road, just past the entrance to Oconee Station State Historic Site. Hikers on this 3.7-mile hike enjoy wildflowers and a quick spur trail to Station Cove Falls.

• Ross Mountain Passage. The Ross Mountain Passage connects the Oconee Passage and Oconee State Park with the Stumphouse Passage and the Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park. This five-mile trail travels through Oconee State Park and USFS property and intersects with the Stumphouse Passage.

• Stumphouse Passage. The Stumphouse Passage intersects with Ross Mountain and the trailhead is located in the picnic shelter parking lot at the Stumphouse Mountain Park. This 1.5-mile trail goes past the old City of Walhalla reservoir and provides access to the Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park.

Trail Talk Thursdays are scheduled for the third Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m., at the Jocassee Valley Brewing Company on Highway 11. These talks feature a discussion of what’s going on with the Palmetto Trail and trails in general, stories, and a guest speaker. Updates can be found on the Palmetto Trail Facebook page.

If you would like to help maintain the trail, you may consider becoming a Trail Monitor and helping out on scheduled trail work days. Something as simple as checking wayfinding signs makes a big difference on the trail. For more information about volunteering and for downloadable maps of each passage, visit their website (palmettoconservation.org).

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 Sotheby’s International Realty

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

Native Plants Feed Native Pollinators

I’m hungry! Help me reach the flower.

All the plants to the left are native perennials. Fall is an excellent time to get them into the ground. Native plants have evolved over time to attract and support local pollinators. Unlike annuals, which are planted in seed form and then complete their life cycle within a year, perennials live serveral years. Can you find the names of these perennals in the word search?

BY JENNIFER KINDEL, Wildlife Biologist, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

Of the diverse species of wildlife that inhabit the Lake Keowee area, bats are some of the most mysterious. Even if you’re observant enough to see them flying at dusk as they capture insects over the water in split second somersaults, determining which species they are is a challenge. Luckily, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has been working to monitor and protect these ultrasonic, nocturnal, flying creatures ever since White-nose Syndrome (WNS) arrived in the state. Bats are important because they are an integral part of our ecosystem and benefit us globally by spreading seeds and pollinating many of the things we eat and drink (cocoa for chocolate, agave for tequila). Locally, they eat thousands of insects within a night and reduce the need for pesticides, providing our SC agricultural industry an average pest suppression service worth $115 million every year. To celebrate these unsung heroes, the last week of October has been designated international Bat Week, and we celebrate with our own #SCBatWeek events.

BATS OF LAKE KEOWEE

The Lake Keowee area may harbor up to 12 of the 15 bat species found in South Carolina. Of those 12, three are tree bats and nine

are colonial roosting bats. As the names suggest, colonial roosting bats roost in colonies in caves, tree hollows, and bat boxes, and tree bats typically roost solitarily in the foliage of trees or under leaf litter in the fall. The nine colonial roosting species include the eastern small-footed, gray, little brown, northern long-eared, big brown, Brazilian free-tailed, evening, Rafinesque’s big-eared, and tricolored bats. Tree bats include some of our most colorful bats, and in the Lake Keowee area include the eastern red, hoary, and silver-haired bats.

Many of the bat species of Lake Keowee will seek shelter in tree cavities, tree crevices, tree snags and under loose bark of live or dead trees. Some colonial roosting bats may use bridges, road culverts, and bat boxes as shelter during different seasons. Snags are an especially important roosting site for mothers and pups during the maternity season. For all these bats, one to two pups are generally born between May and June each year.

BATS OF LAKE KEOWEE

Colonial Roosting

Big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus)

Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis)

Eastern small-footed bat (Myotis leibi)

Evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis)

Gray bat (Myotis grisescens)

Little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus)

Northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis)

Rafinesque’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii)

Tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus)

Foliage

Roosting

Easter red bat (Lasiurus borealis)

Hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus)

Silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans)

STATUS AND CONSERVATION

A total of thirteen, or 87%, of South Carolina’s bat species are on the list of South Carolina’s “Species of Greatest Conservation Need” and are considered “Highest Priority.” Two of South Carolina’s bats are federally endangered: the northern long-eared and the gray bat. The eastern small-footed, Rafinesque’s big-eared, and tricolored bats are all considered at-risk species by the USFWS, with the latter currently being considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act. On the state level, the Rafinesque’s big-eared bat is endangered, and the eastern small-footed bat is threatened.

One of the most devastating threats to bat populations is WNS, a disease caused by a fungus that causes hibernating bats to use up their energy reserves and die from starvation or thirst. Mortality rates attributed to WNS have reached up to 90 and 100%, causing the death of 5.7 to 6.7 million bats since it was first documented in 2006/2007. A ten-fold decrease in the numbers of bats in North American hibernacula has been attributed to WNS, and significant local extinctions in many species have resulted. SCDNR has been monitoring the spread of WNS in South Carolina since it arrived in Pickens County in 2013. Initially, tricolored bat populations in key hibernacula in Oconee County declined by over 95%. However, in the past few years there has been a glimmer of hope as those populations appear to be steadily increasing despite the continued presence of the WNS fungus.

CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Though WNS is here to stay, the biggest way to help conserve bats is to provide and manage habitat. Just like us, all wildlife species need shelter, food, and water. Providing contiguous acres of diverse habitat types will help differing bat species through changing seasons. Here are some specific land management actions known to help bats and other wildlife: Leaving dead or dying trees, or snags, standing whenever possible

is one of the best ways to provide shelter for bats. Trees that are in the earlier stages of decay and retain bark for longer periods will provide more reliable roosts. Snags located in small openings or along the edges of forests are especially important for female bats and their pups in summer as they receive greater solar heat to keep them warm. Clusters of snags increase use by bats as they have more microhabitat gradient options to choose from, and larger snags retain the sun’s warmth better than smaller ones. Dead or live trees with cavities are also important for species such as the Rafinesque’s big-eared bat who utilize them for maternity colonies. Overall, providing a continuous supply of trees in various stages of deterioration will be beneficial to bats. Providing small forest openings can also provide good foraging areas for bats if potential roost trees are not taken down in the process.

Placing bat boxes correctly can provide good bat maternity roosts. If done incorrectly, they become an ecological trap causing pup death due to overheating. Rocket boxes are the best box type because they provide variable microhabitat to choose from, but regular multi-chamber bat boxes placed back-to-back are also good. The box should not be placed on trees due to predators and shade, but on a pole 12 to 14 feet high and receive at least six hours of sun. Research-tested bat box blueprints and other box placement information can be found at Bat Conservation International’s websitebatcon.org/about-bats/bat-gardens-houses).

ENJOYING BATS

Once you’ve provided good bat habitat, you can sit back, relax and count bats emerging from roost trees at sunset as part of SCDNR’s citizen science program SC Bat Watch! (www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/bats/ batwatch.html). A fun way to determine which species are conducting those impressive somersaults in front of you is to use a device such as the Echo Meter Touch, which turns your smartphone into an interactive bat detector and will let you hear, identify, and record nearby bats. And of course, please join us in the fun during #SCBatWeek every year from October 24–31. The 2024 event list will be updated at (southcarolinabatworkinggroup.org). Happy bat watching!

WINTER WONDERLAND FOR WINGS:

A Pollinator’s Perspective

BY LILLIAN (LIL) LEDFORD, Clemson Extension 4-H Youth Development Agent, Oconee County, South Carolina

As I write this, the forecast for next week is calling for night temperatures to dip into the 60s overnight. Kids are back in school, the South Carolina Foothills Heritage Fair is coming up (Be sure to come check out the 4-H Poultry and Rabbit shows!), and I’m noticing a change in the behavior of the insects in my yard and garden. As the vibrant greens of summer mellow into autumn hues, the flora and fauna of the garden embark upon preparation for the challenges of winter.

While we often associate pollinators in their adult forms with the warmth of spring and summer, it is crucial to be aware that their needs and roles extend far beyond those sun-drenched seasons. Flies, wasps, beetles, ants, bees, moths, butterflies, and hummingbirds are integral at all life stages to the delicate balance of their native ecosystems, and their survival throughout the colder months is vital for a thriving community.

I’ve always admired the resilience of these tiny creatures. While some butterflies like Monarchs and Buckeyes embark on epic migrations to warmer climates, others, like the enchanting Mourning Cloak, find sheltered nooks to endure the winter as adults. Many moths, such as the ephemeral Luna, overwinter

We can make a few simple adjustments to our gardening practices to create havens for pollinators to thrive.

in cozy cocoons among the fallen leaves. Bees (of which South Carolina has over 500 native species), those industrious architects of nature, exhibit remarkable ingenuity. Honeybees, an important livestock animal, huddle together in their hives to generate heat, while native bees seek refuge in snug underground burrows or hollow stems either as mated females waiting to start a new nest (like carpenter bees or bumblebees) or as immature eggs or pupae ready to mature in spring. Wasps, the underappreciated cousins of bees, are also important pollinators, who (unlike bees) will hunt insect pests to feed to their young. They too hunker down for the winter, just like bees. It’s fascinating to think of the bustling metropolis that exists hidden and cozy during the winter months.

As stewards of our beautiful Lake Keowee landscapes, we have a unique opportunity to support these vital creatures. We can make a few simple adjustments to our gardening practices to create havens for pollinators to thrive.

One of the easiest and most beneficial things you can do is to resist the urge to eliminate the leaves that fall on your property. Fallen leaves provide invaluable shelter for a host of beneficial insects, including those lovely (and pest-eating) ladybugs, fireflies, and lacewings. I encourage you to create a designated leaf pile in a quiet corner of your yard. It may look a little unkempt, but trust me, it’s a sanctuary teeming with life. Those leaves can also be spread in gardens like the free mulch they are!

Planting for persistence is another key strategy. While our beloved annuals may succumb to the cold, many perennials and grasses offer frost-resistant late-season blooms, seeds, and hollow stems for shelter. Goldenrod and other asters are diverse and beautiful (and because they are insect-pollinated, do not trigger human allergies). When you incorporate native plants into your garden, you’re not only supporting pollinators but also enhancing the biodiversity of your landscape.

PHOTOS BY LILLIAN (LIL) LEDFORD ,

If you’re fortunate enough to have native bees nesting in your yard, please resist the temptation to disturb their homes during the winter. Leaving winter stems, standing dead trees (even just stumps or lovely branches as a natural edge to your garden), and even a few spots of bare soil can provide invaluable nesting areas and shelter.

And don’t forget about water. Even in the depths of winter, our feathered friends and insect allies need hydration. A shallow bird bath or a heated birdbath can be a lifeline. (On warm winter days when the temperature rises above 55˚F, you may be surprised by a Mourning Cloak or honeybee visitor!)

Creating a diverse and welcoming habitat ensures that our gardens remain vibrant and alive throughout the year. And remember, every small action counts. We contribute to a

healthier ecosystem that will continue enriching human lives for generations to come when we provide essential resources for pollinators at all life stages.

RESOURCES FOR CREATING POLLINATOR-FRIENDLY SPACES

To delve deeper into creating a pollinator-friendly oasis, consider exploring these valuable resources:

• Oconee County Extension Office (clemson.edu/ extension/co/oconee): Extension agents provide expertise in agribusiness, agronomy, food safety, nutrition, horticulture, livestock and forages, forestry and wildlife resources, rural health, water resources, and 4-H and youth development.

• Clemson Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC) (hgic.clemson.edu): This local resource offers tailored guidance on gardening in South Carolina, including plant recommendations and pest management strategies. Be sure to mention your goal of pollinator friendly stewardship!

• Xerces Society (xerces.org): A leading organization dedicated to invertebrate conservation, providing comprehensive information on pollinator habitat creation and restoration.

• South Carolina Native Plant Society (scnps.org): Offers invaluable knowledge about regional native plants, which are essential for supporting pollinators.

When you combine these resources with your creativity and passion, you can transform your Lake Keowee property into a thriving haven for pollinators.

Lillian (Lil) Ledford is the Oconee County Extension Office’s 4-H Youth DevelopmentAgent.TheSouthCarolina4-HYouthDevelopmentProgram’s mission is to help young people develop the skills and knowledge to be productive,responsible,andcontributingmembersofsociety.Theprogram usesalearn-by-doingapproach,caringadults,andtheresourcesofClemson University and the land-grant university system to achieve this goal. If you are interested in contributing resources or donating time by being an adult leaderorvolunteer,pleasereachoutformoreinformation!(301WestSouth Broad St., Walhalla, SC 29691; ledfor7@clemson.edu; 864-916-6201)

Coves and Transitions (Trouble in Paradise?)

PRACTICAL LIMNOLOGY

BY DR. JOHN

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

Lake Keowee is an exceptionally nice lake, true. There is much, much more to it than that. If you have missed some of my limnology articles you may be unaware of some important distinctions that apply to reservoirs like Lake Keowee compared to “natural” lakes. Their recent formation and short history, the authorized purposes for constructing them, watershed sizes, flows, loading—all these tend to be different for the lakes that we build for our own purposes compared to those left behind by glaciers or created by other natural processes. For reservoirs like Lake Keowee and many others, the shape of the lake is also distinctive. So-called “natural” lakes tend to be rounder in shape than reservoirs. Lake Keowee, like many other reservoirs, owes its complicated shape to the “dendritic” pattern of the way the lake filled the many tributary streams thus often forming long, narrow coves—hence the title of this article.

RESERVOIR ZONES

For a small, relatively “round” lake, it might be sufficient to employ a single set of observations at the deepest location to characterize the status of that lake. In contrast, even for simple reservoirs with just a single main inflow, it is often necessary to characterize multiple “zones” of change within the lake (Figure 1). Near the inflow, the shallower depths and resulting water movements often give that zone “rivervine,” waters that retain characteristics of streams, albeit slow-moving ones. At the other end, near the dam where water is deepest, the lake may take on characteristics of most large water bodies, dominated by pelagic fish and plankton, an area referred to as “lacustrine.” Small reservoirs with greater inflows may never develop a lacustrine zone. These areas are sometimes referred to as “run of river” impoundments. Between the riverine and lacustrine zones is a region that often varies with season, flow patterns, and depths—a zone of “transition” in which particles settle out, and dominant organisms shift from riverine to lacustrine types. Coves are smaller versions of this pattern, and many exhibit all three of these zones, thus reinforcing their distinctive qualities.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Anyone who has studied reservoirs and larger lakes with complex shapes knows that in some cases, certain tributary coves might act as if they are separate lakes unto themselves, behaving differently from the other areas to which they are connected. Additional observations at multiple locations may be necessary

for such characterizations. This is among the factors that, for example, distinguish the locations of the three municipal water intakes on Lake Keowee: Greenville on the Keowee River basin, Seneca on the larger basin on the Little River side, and Walhalla on the Cane Creek tributary cove. Residents on tributary coves might notice increased turbidity after storms, compared to the main open areas of the lake. They may notice increased sediment deposition from the inflowing streams, or even algae or plant growth in their coves, of which all these things have very little importance to the operation of the Keowee-Toxaway Project, including Oconee Nuclear Station. For this reason and others, the monitoring efforts by Duke Energy and regulatory agencies tend to focus on the larger, deeper, open water areas of reservoirs where the greatest volume of the water resource resides. However, this is of little consolation to lake residents who may be experiencing a problem in their relatively smaller, more isolated coves.

THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UNCERTAIN

Coves are good places to enjoy the lake. Recreation tends to remain closer to shore; there isn’t as much “fetch” for wind to create large waves; and regulations may restrict boat speeds or wakes. Coves are friendlier. But the characteristics that tend to isolate those waters from the main body of the lake also support nutrient accumulation from runoff, resulting algae and plant growth, and in some cases, loss of dissolved oxygen in deeper waters resulting in sediment release of more nutrients and dissolved metals such as iron and manganese. Seasonal patterns may also affect coves differently from the main body of the lake. During spring, coves may tend to warm more rapidly than the main body and cool earlier in the fall. The mixing process that is sometimes called “turnover” tends to begin earlier in the fall with predictable changes in water characteristics that precede similar changes in the main body. Climate change, moreover, may further alter these differences. Coves are often more dynamic than the main body of the reservoir, which is why I maintain that monitoring coves may aid detection of incipient problems in a reservoir—in addition to monitoring the deeper, open water areas for longer-term changes. Change is inevitable for all of these areas. Coves, due to factors such as smaller water mass, may express these changes more quickly.

There are good things here as well. Because coves are smaller areas, they may be easier to monitor with fewer persons doing the monitoring. Residents of the coves are more likely to express interest in the waters adjacent to them. In some cases, where problems are detected, the responses may be more easily

managed. And, importantly, being in touch with one’s cove may assist a greater sense of community surrounding a shared resource—all good.

GOOD STEWARDSHIP – BRINGING IT HOME

Few people live in complete isolation from society, at least not in these parts. While we recognize that we all share the larger resource of Lake Keowee, our personal interests may be greater closer to home, in “our” coves. It is easier to envision the community of the residents, both wildlife and human, around

GET Published

FOLKS invites members to submit their original Lake Keowee photography for consideration in our upcoming publications.

All submissions will be reviewed for reproduction quality and the highest rated images will be selected for publication. Photo requirements include high resolution, a minimum of 8’’x10’’, jpeg format, and must be taken by a FOLKS member. Please include member name, photo title and photo location when submitting. Email submissions to folks@keoweefolks.org with the subject line “PHOTO FOR PUBLISHING.”

our coves. It is easier to recognize the resultant shared interests in such neighborhoods. And it is easier to organize activities to promote the well-being of that community and the waters as well. FOLKS promotes conservation, education, and advocacy for Lake Keowee and its watershed. Coves are natural, perhaps essential, places to apply these three goals and actions. Such great possibilities! Think about it.

Jocassee Gorges—Gateway to Lake Keowee

BY TRACI BEGOLE, Friends of Jocassee Board Member and Lake Keowee Resident

Living on Lake Keowee, with its gorgeous sunrises and ample water to drink, fish, and play in, it is easy to forget that Lake Keowee borders the Jocassee Gorges. The unique geology of the mountainous forests to the north that aggregate numerous streams, such as the Saluda, Eastatoe, Toxaway, Whitewater, and Thompson (just to name a few) creates steep hillsides that drop in elevation by 2,000 vertical feet in a mere two to three miles. This phenomenon is known as the Jocassee Gorges. This unique ecosystem—a temperate rainforest, with one of the highest concentrations of waterfalls in the Eastern United States—is home for over 60 species of rare plants and diverse wildlife, supported by over 75 inches of rainfall a year. Lake Jocassee is the confluence point of four mountain rivers that ultimately feed Lake Keowee its clean, pristine waters.

Keowee-Toxaway State Park, on the northern end of Lake Keowee, is a direct access point into the Jocassee Gorges. It is amazing to reflect that our home on Lake Keowee is an entrance to what National Geographic called one of “The World’s Last Great Places.” Recently, Lake Jocassee was voted the “#1 Best Lake for Swimming” in the United States by USA Today

Because this place is so special, we have lots of reasons to protect it. A local nonprofit, Friends of Jocassee (FOJ), has been doing just that by volunteering, protecting, and creating educational events for the community. Their mission is the “Conservation of the Jocassee Gorges for all.”

Core principles of the group are to “educate, protect, and enhance” experiences in the Jocassee Gorges for its members and the community. The group hosts a full calendar of events such as BellFest, a festival that honors the endemic Oconee Bell wildflower found only in the Jocassee area; fishing tournaments to encourage environmental stewardship; and Paddle Splash, part of the Southeast Paddle Sport Championship series.

Every year FOJ sponsors events that improve and protect local state parks. The Volunteer, Improve and Protect (VIP) Day is a collaborative litter pickup day held at Devils Fork State Park (DFSP) that involves scuba divers, hikers, and boaters. Litter is collected from the park and Lake Jocassee. Other activities include four regularly scheduled Adopt-a-Highway events to maintain four miles of roads and an annual Perk-Up the Park workday at Keowee-Toxaway State Park.

In addition to these events, FOJ is active in education and protection projects across the area. For example, it provides educational scholarship grants for outdoor education, and in 2024, two Oconee County elementary schools were the recipients. FOJ has installed boardwalks on trails to protect plants, removed invasive species, installed vault toilets at Toxaway River campsite to decrease human impact, and created pollinator gardens. They also have steadily invested in key environmental projects such as shoreline stabilization and donated to Naturaland Trust to protect part of the Keowee watershed.

Partnerships with local state parks and other organizations have been a successful way to accelerate conservation efforts.

FOJ is particularly grateful for the support of Friends of Lake Keowee Society (FOLKS) as they both have common geography and similar conservation goals. Other notable partnerships have included South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Duke Energy, Upstate Master Naturalist Association, Foothills Trails Conservancy, Friends of Gorges State Park, and the South Carolina Native Plant Society.

The same spirit of community support continues in FOJ’s efforts to enhance experiences for all in the Jocassee Gorges. Their multiyear project to contribute to ADA-compliant campsites at DFSP will allow everyone to access and enjoy the beauty of the Jocassee Gorges. FOJ also sponsors the DFSP boat launch webcam so remote visitors can glimpse beautiful Lake Jocassee at any time. According to Chris Rucker, President of FOJ, “This is such a special place that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy it and share in the responsibility to protect it for future generations.”

Fall is a busy season for FOJ and everyone is welcome. The schedule of events has been included in this edition of KEOWEE. Currently, FOJ is seeking new members and raising funds for future projects. It is a great way to volunteer, meet other likeminded people, and make a difference. If you are interested, please check out the website at friendsofjocassee.org

We are lucky to live in the Lake Keowee and Jocassee Gorges region. Let’s do our part and join our local nonprofits like FOJ and FOLKS to keep our home pristine and protected.

For more information about the Jocassee Gorges:

1. Visit the SCDNR site: dnr.sc.gov/managed/wild/jocassee/

2. View the National Geographic article: https://d1b48phb7m9k7p. cloudfront.net/u/234af096-141a-4b8e-b9d0-94bd20d4b54e/fi/ pdf/188/NatGeo-50-of-the-Worlds-Last-Great-Places.pdf

3. View the USA Today article: wyff4.com/article/lake-jocasseebest-lake-for-swimming-usa-today/61108889

4. Visit Discover SC website: discoversouthcarolina.com/articles/ jocassee-gorges-is-a-destination-of-a-lifetime-teeming-with-scenicwaterfalls-crystal-clear-streams-and-lush-mountain-forests

BY DALE WILDE, President, FOLKS

Local Authors

Geology Guide to the Foothills Trail, 77 Miles of Trail, 1.2 Billion Years of Geology

By Robert H. Morrow IV, SCDNR, William A Ranson, Ph.D., Furman University, and Tanner Arrington, SCDNR

A member of the Foothills Trail Conservancy (FTC) Board and two members of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) have collaborated to produce a fabulous, full-color guidebook on the geology along the Foothills Trail. Bill Ranson, a retired Furman University Professor of Geology, Robby Morrow, a geologist with SCDNR, and Tanner Arrington, a SCDNR Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialist, have spent more than a year hiking, studying, analyzing, and photographing all aspects of geology along the entire Trail.

The geology along the Foothills Trail spans nearly 1.2 billion years of Earth’s history. This invaluable resource for anyone hiking the Foothills Trail (FT) or just wanting to learn more about the Upstate guides you through the geology of the FT from start to finish. Geologic maps for the entire FT identify the rock types you are hiking over, and where you can see interesting rock outcrops that help geologists understand the geologic history of the region. The text follows the trail sections found in the FTC Guidebook, and it is spiralbound for easy page copying. The 125-page guide has full-color photographs, diagrams, and maps.

Purchase this book from the FTC store, foothillstrail.org/store.

FOLKS Announces the 2024–2025 Jack Lewis Watershed Stewardship Scholarship

BY KATE CLEVER, Scholarship Liaison, and AMANDA GLADYS, Science Department Chair, Walhalla High School

Friends Of Lake Keowee Society (FOLKS) is proud to announce the 2024–2025 scholarship for high school students who show a strong interest in natural resource conservation and the environment. Our scholarship is named in honor of Jack Lewis, whose time with FOLKS spanned more than 20 years, and whose enthusiastic attitude, keen sense of duty, and good heart were evident throughout his tenure.

FOLKS strives to turn passion for conservation into action and encourages students to work for the issues they believe in. We believe that every act of environmental stewardship—no matter how small— helps the world become a better place. Our scholarship will engage students in their community and inspire them to be advocates for the environment, whether local or global. FOLKS awarded scholarships to six students in 2024, all of whom are actively monitoring their streams.

FOLKS would like to recognize and thank The Cliffs at Keowee Falls Cliffs Resident Outreach (CRO) and Cliffs Vineyards CRO for their 2024 scholarship endowments and continued support, as well as Melanie Fink and Associates. Their donations are instrumental to the success of the program this year.

Scholarship applicants must be residents of either Oconee or Pickens County, full-time high school students in good academic standing, and classified as a sophomore or junior during the 2024–2025 school year. The applicant shall indicate his/her intent to apply to either a two-year or four-year college curriculum on the application. Upon notification of eligibility to participate in the scholarship program, students will be required to attend the South Carolina (SC) Adopt-a-Stream Freshwater Monitoring and Macroinvertebrate workshop and obtain certification. Workshop classes are free, and the sampling materials/kits are provided at no cost.

Selected students will be required to monitor a designated stream segment for a period of six consecutive months, adhering to SC Adopt-a-Stream protocols, and to provide a presentation on the health of the stream throughout the sampling period. Prior to sampling, the student will conduct a Habitat Assessment using the form and methods described in the SC Adopt-a Stream workshop. Students are expected to upload their data and results of the assessment to the SC Adopt-a-Stream database.

The FOLKS Scholarship Application is available at the FOLKS website: folkskeowee.org/scholarship. The application must be completed and all required materials submitted no later than November 22, 2024. Students who qualify for the scholarship will be announced February 1, 2025.

2024

“AMERICA’S BOATING COURSE”

Designed to advance public knowledge and skills for safer boating in the Upstate. Learn about State, local and Federal regulations, including wake/wake boat restrictions and mandatory safe boating education requirements, safety equipment, how to handle emergencies, anchoring, trailering, navigation rules and aids, personal watercraft operation, knot tying and much more. After completing the course, there is an option to have on-the-water training, if desired.

WHEN: September 10th, 17th and 24th with the exam on the 24th.

The course consists of three nights of instruction with the exam included on the third night. The class will meet on three consecutive Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:30 pm.

WHERE: Classes will be held at St. Marks United Methodist Church in Seneca, SC; however, if appropriate, classes will be held via an online Zoom meeting with a final in-person exam session.

COST: There is no cost for the Course other than $35 for a manual and supplies. The manual can be shared by family members.

Preregistration is requested at least 2 weeks in advance. To sign up, call Ron Osburn at 864-972-2434 or email ozbrn@bellsouth.net.

For membership and additional information, visit our website at gclsaps.com

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

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/virtual town halls to local Home Owners Associations

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

We are excited about 2024 and 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!