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J. Strom Thurmond Lake

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the J. Strom Thurmond Dam -- also known as Clarks Hill Dam -- in 1954. This dam is located on the Savannah River between the Georgia and South Carolina borders above Augusta, Georgia, and creates the J. Strom Thurmond Lake. This lake represents the third and southernmost reservoir on the Savannah River, downstream from Lake Hartwell and Lake Russell. The lake also is known as Clarks Hill Lake after a local South Carolina town.

Since the lake has a depth of up to 110 feet, many divers use this lake. One attraction on the South Carolina side of the dam is a Cessna two-seat airplane submerged in 35 feet of water. The plane was placed here for training, and is in good condition.

Fishing

J. Strom Thurmond Lake encompasses almost 71,000 surface acres filled with largemouth, striped, and hybrid bass, bream, crappie, and catfish. Crappie is the fish most frequently caught in this lake during the spring. Largemouth bass also are caught most easily during the spring, but striped bass have eclipsed the largemouth as a popular game fish at Strom Thurmond Lake. This lake is popular for fishing tournaments and night fishing.

As of 2012, a reciprocal freshwater fishing agreement between Georgia and South Carolina’s allows anglers to fish on the border waters of the Savannah River System from the North Carolina border down to the mouth of the Savannah River with a valid fishing license from either state. Those border waters include J. Strom Thurmond Lake.

       

  Search J. Strom Thurmond Lake Resources
    J. Strom Thurmond Lake Georgia Coordinates:
34.4652N -82.8455W
Map It:
Lake Type:
Reservoir
Surface Area:
71,000 acres
Maximum Depth:
110 ft
Elevation:
328 ft
Normal Water Clarity:
5-15 ft
Major City:
Augusta
Airport:
Augusta

Boating

Fishing piers are located at five campgrounds and parks, and over thirty Army Corps of Engineers boat ramps are located at campgrounds or recreation areas. Some ramps may close for fall and winter seasons, so be sure to check with the Corps of Engineer pages to learn about those closings.

       
Lodging

The Corps manages ten Class-A campgrounds, five day-use areas, and many other recreational facilities located on 80,000 acres of land that surround this lake. Visitors also can take advantage of camping areas at six state parks and at several city and county recreation areas. Baker Creek State Park, which is on the South Carolina side of the lake, is open annually from March 1 until September 30.

Other lodging can be found in Columbia County, Georgia, including motels and hotels, suites, inns, and B&Bs. Augusta, Georgia, sits at the south end of the lake along the Savannah River, and that town offers plenty of differenty types of lodging for visitors.

Review the Lake Resource Guide for additional lodging.



Communities

J. Strom Thurmond Lake is located across McCormick and Abbeville Counties in South Carolina and Lincoln and Columbia Counties in Georgia. Located about halfway between Atlanta, Georgia, and Columbia, South Carolina along I-20, this lake offers an easy way for many visitors in this area to gain access to recreation, camping, fishing, and hunting. Augusta, Georgia offers nearby lodging south of the lake at I-20, as well as a regional airport that supports several major airlines.

Fun times at J. Strom Thurmond Lake  J. Strom Thurmond Lake

J. Strom Thurmond Lake  J. Strom Thurmond Lake



 
Average Temperatures Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Avg. High  58 Avg. High  62 Avg. High  70 Avg. High  77 Avg. High  85 Avg. High  91 Avg. High  94 Avg. High  92 Avg. High  87 Avg. High  78 Avg. High  69 Avg. High  60
Avg. Low  33 Avg. Low  36 Avg. Low  42 Avg. Low  48 Avg. Low  57 Avg. Low  66 Avg. Low  70 Avg. Low  69 Avg. Low  63 Avg. Low  51 Avg. Low  41 Avg. Low  35