Lake Robinson
lake
living WRIT TE N BY SHERIL BE NNE T T TURNER PH OTO GR APHED BY BRIAN ERKE NS
C
hances are, if you could conjure up your most vivid memories of summertime bliss they would most likely include water — running through the sprinklers over soft, green grass, watching the sunset over a crimson-blue ocean, eating watermelon beside a dark, cool river, or drifting in a boat on a lake with the scent of Carolina Jessamine mingled with the catch of the day. Tucked away among the rolling hills, creeks, and beautiful landscape of the Greer area are three pristine lakes, each with it’s own personality and atmosphere: Lyman Lake, Lake Cunningham, and Lake Robinson. So whether you’re looking for a tranquil spot to unwind during a lunch break, a romantic backdrop for an evening walk arm-in-arm, or a place to bring the family for a little daytime recreation and fun, lake living in Greer is only a moment away.
18
GreerNow JULY 2006
GreerNow JULY 2006
19
“Nothing is more memorable than a smell. One scent can be unexpected, momentary and fleeting, yet conjure up a childhood summer beside a lake in the mountains…” — Diane Ackerman, American Writer
Lyman Lake A sense of community surrounds the banks of historical Lyman Lake where older homes mingle with new construction and your neighbor is just a few steps away. Constructed in the 1920s by Boston-based Pacific Mills from an impoundment on the Middle Tyger River, this 575-acre lake was primarily used for the dyeing and finishing process for the textile mill. Lyman Lake, named for Pacific Mills’ President Arthur T. Lyman, also supplied the drinking water for the mill workers who lived in Lyman Mill village. Sold to various mill operations throughout the years, the lake remained private for the use of the mill and for the recreation of the mill workers and residents until 1997, when SJWD Water District purchased the lake property from Springs Industries to treat and supply their own water. Today Lyman Lake, together with Lake Cooley and the North Tyger Reservoir, supplies water to approximately 45,000 people in western Spartanburg County and is open to the public for recreational activities. “The primary purpose of the lake is for drinking water,” says Mitch Turner, SJWD Water Resource Manager, “but we’re glad we can offer recreation as a secondary aspect.” Lyman Lake Park, located on Lyman Lodge Road off Jordan Road in Spartanburg County, includes a boat ramp, fishing dock, picnic area and playground. Lyman Lodge is also located at the park and is available for rental to accomodate up to 100 people.
20
GreerNow JULY 2006
The park stays open seven days a week and 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset. Boats on the lake may have up to a 90-horsepower outboard engine and up to 130horsepower inboard engine, which makes Lyman Lake perfect for water skiing enthusiasts. All boats must have an SJWD boat permit as well as a state vessel registration, if required. No jet skis are allowed on the lake. Although public swimming is not allowed, and no public access for swimming is available, water skiiers may swim while in the course of skiing, and lake property owners can swim near their docks. The fishing, Mitch says, is some of the best in the area with a plentiful supply of bass, bream, and catfish. Always popular with bass fishing clubs, Lyman Lake hosts tournaments throughout the year. To ensure the quality of the drinking water and to protect the lake so that future generations can enjoy its benefits, SJWD has developed educational programs for school children on ecology and conservation. Residents are also encouraged to promote healthy evevironmental development through such organizations as Upstate Forever and USC Upstate’s Ecology Center. “It’s so easy to pollute and contaminate the lake,” explains Mitch. “Over-fertilization and use of herbicides and pesticides all contribute, but the biggest impact to the lake is sediment erosion.” While protecting the lake is a constant and challenging job for the community, it is one that makes Lyman Lake such a special place to experience.
Lake Cunningham At a little over 200 acres, Lake Cunningham’s charm is in its size. Hidden behind existing neighborhoods, farms, and woodlands, this intimate lake has the feel of your own personal pond. Created in 1956 on
the South Tyger River by the Greer Commission of Public Works, Lake Cunningham is named in honor of Commission Chairman J.C. Cunningham and was constructed as a primary source of water supply for the residents of Greer. In 1971, an 8-million-gallon-per-day Water Filter Plant was built adjacent to the lake on Highway 14. Although there is no swimming allowed on the lake, there are plenty of other opportunities for recreation and relaxation. In 1990, Lake Cunningham Park, located on North McElhaney Road off of SC Highway 101, was built to provide public access to the lake. This local favorite includes one large covered shelter available for rent, picnic tables, a boat ramp, and a fishing dock. The park is open seven days a week, 365 days a year, sunrise to sunset.
Boaters can enjoy the beauty of the lake in boats up to 18 feet long with motors up to 10 horsepower. But this lake is wonderful to explore in a kayak or canoe. All boats must have a Greer CPW reservoir boat permit as well as a state vessel registration when required. Fishing enthusiasts will enjoy catching bass, crappie,
large and small mouth bass, carp, bream, and catfish from either the dock or boats. “My wife and I like to fish Lake Cunningham,” says Chuck Barnes, Chief Warden for Lake Cunningham. “The thing we like about it is that it’s a little quieter. It’s an old lake, a little more grown up, but the fish like that.” All fishers over 16 years old must have a reservoir fishing permit as well as a state fishing license. For those who enjoy duck and goose hunting, Lake Cunningham offers the only public water fowl area in the Upstate managed by the Department of Natural Resources and Greer CPW. All state guidelines apply, and remember to have a wildlife management permit.
Lake Cunningham
GreerNow JULY 2006
21
Lake Robinson With breathtaking views of Glassy and Hogback Mountain, it is no wonder that Lake Robinson is one of the most sought after places in the Greer area for home building. This majestic 802-acre lake was first conceived in the late 1960s by Greer CPW with an eye toward the future growth of the area and the need for an additional water supply. Named for a former chairman of Greer CPW, Lake John A. Robinson was completed in 1984 and became the second largest lake in Greenville County. Constructed from a dam on the South Tyger, the lake feeds into Lake Cunningham and is then treated at the Water Filter Plant, where capacity was extended in 1992 to treat up to 16 million gallons of water per day. Today, Lake Robinson and Lake Cunningham supply drinking water to all of Greer through the Greer CPW as well as 85 percent of Blue Ridge through the Blue Ridge Rural Water District. In 1985, the highly anticipated J. Verne Smith Recreational Area, named for the South Carolina State Senator and former Greer CPW chairman who
Lake Cunningham
championed the Lake Robinson project, was completed. Located on May’s Bridge Road off Highway 101, the park provides public access to the lake and recreational facilities on a grand scale. A large covered shelter with electrical outlets and a smaller covered shelter with terrific views are available for daily rental. Numerous picnic tables with
22
GreerNow JULY 2006
grills are located in the park. A boat landing, fishing dock, and the warden’s office for Lake Robinson and Lake Cunningham are also located in the park which is open seven days a week, 365 days a year, sunrise to sunset. Home of the annual Greer Family Festival Bass Tournament, as well as other fishing tournaments, Lake Robinson has become a favorite fishing spot for locals and visitors alike. With the same restrictions on boat motor size as Lake
Lyman Lake
Lake Robinson
Cunningham, Lake Robinson is a great lake for small boating, kayaking, canoeing as well as the perfect lake for a sailboat. With its magnificent mountain scenery, the lake has also become a popular backdrop for wedding and prom photographs. In 1999, Greer CPW became a member of the Wildlife and Industry Together (W.A.I.T.) program. As part of the program, local Boy and Girl Scout troop volunteers helped design the award-winning Lake Robinson Habitat. In addition to building bird boxes to house ducks and bats, they created a “Carolina Fence” using cultural and natural elements to represent the state. The split rail fence is embellished with the Carolina Jessamine vine (the state flower), Carolina Blue Granite (the state stone), and a wren house for the Carolina Wren (the state bird). “We are excited about this program and the opportunity to create new wildlife habitat while educating our youth about our local species,” remarks CPW Chief Lake Warden and W.A.I.T. program coordinator Chuck Barnes. So come visit the lakes of Greer, and see how close to home a day at the lake can be! d
Lake Cunningham and Lake Robinson Warden’s Station — Lake Robinson Park 2544 May’s Bridge Road, Greer, SC (864) 895-3645 www.greercpw.com Lyman Lake Warden’s Station — Lyman Lake Park 200 Lodge Road, Lyman, SC (864) 879-0804 www.sjwd.com For classroom curriculum or literature, contact Anne Marie Johnson, Program Coordinator of the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control at 803-898-4187 or e-mail johnsoam@ columb32.dhec.state.sc.us. GreerNow JULY 2006
23