Lake Jocassee – Lake Jocassee, South Carolina

Serene Lake Jocassee (pronounced “joe-kas-ee”) was created from the Whitewater, Thompson, and Toxaway Rivers by Duke Power Company in 1967. This 7,500 acre lake, along with Lake Keowee, provides electricity and recreation for much of the Upstate.

Lake Jocassee is a perfect lake for boating, skiing, fishing, and many other water activities. There is very little development and most of the surrounding land is untouched by man. Photographer Madison Pierce tells us that “the Jocassee Valley was once home to the Cherokee Indians. The lake was named for an Indian princess who was said to have walked across its waters to reunite with the ghost of her lost love. The name Jocassee has an appropriate meaning – The Place of the Lost One.”

The lake is also known for the beautiful waterfalls that flow into it, but keep in mind that like many of our SC waterfalls, they are best viewed after a good rain.

Kevin Matkoski writes: “After I moved to SC, I was looking for a place to go camping (via my kayak). Lake Jocassee came highly recommended because of its waterfalls dropping into the lake, and I thought it would be perfect. Needless to say, this was my first introduction to drought in the Southeast. I didn’t find the infamous waterfalls scenes I had imagined, but even in drought conditions the lake’s beauty dominated the landscape.”

Learn more about recreational activities at Lake Jocassee.