Lake Russell

Lake Russell is a large reservoir located along the South Carolina–Georgia border on the Savannah River, positioned between Lake Hartwell upstream and Clarks Hill Lake downstream. Completed in the mid-1980s, the lake covers approximately 26,000 acres and serves primarily as a hydropower and water-management reservoir within the Savannah River basin.

The shoreline is largely undeveloped and heavily forested, reflecting the lake’s role as a conservation-oriented project. Long creek arms, narrow coves, and gently sloping banks dominate much of the perimeter, while submerged timber, river channels, and points define the underwater structure. Compared to neighboring reservoirs, Lake Russell maintains a quieter, more natural setting with extensive protected shoreline and limited residential development.

Lake Russell supports a balanced warmwater fishery with established populations of largemouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, crappie, and catfish. The lake is owned and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees hydropower operations, flood control, and long-term environmental stewardship while preserving public access and maintaining the lake’s natural character.