2015 Classic: Flying over Lake Hartwell

The newly completed Green Pond Landing in Anderson, S.C., will serve as the blast-off site for the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic Feb. 20-22 on Lake Hartwell.

The “big water” from the middle of the lake to the dam gets rough in a hurry when the wind is blowing. On this day in mid-December, 25 mph winds had the lake white-capping and the floating boat dock rocking at Green Pond Landing in Anderson, S.C.

This is the new three-lane boat ramp at Green Pond Landing that will serve as the launch site for the 56 competitors for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic. The massive facility, located in Anderson, S.C., was opened to the public during a formal ceremony Dec. 19, 2014. It was scheduled to be finished four months earlier, but heavy rains during the summer of 2013 slowed the process.

Plans are to eventually expand the ramp to six lanes, making Anderson, S.C., a regular destination for major tournaments of all descriptions.The ramp is more than 280 feet long for historic periods of high and low water.

Anderson County Parks Department Manager Matt Schell addressed a group of B.A.S.S. officials and Classic sponsors during a tour of Green Pond Landing in December.

The sponsors and B.A.S.S. staffers return to their bus after their short tour.

B.A.S.S. staffers Phillip Lawless and Bryan Brasher joined Lake Hartwell Association president Herb Burnham and pilot Scott Dunn for an aerial tour of Lake Hartwell. Just as the GEICO Bassmaster Classic will each day from Feb. 20-22, the aerial tour launched from Anderson, S.C., via the Anderson Regional Airport.

Soon after takeoff, Lake Hartwell can be seen in the distance.

An overhead view of the newly renovated Green Pond Landing in Anderson, S.C. Before renovation, the site had been just a modest single-ramp launch.

An expanded view of Green Pond Landing in Anderson, S.C., shows some of the 166 parking spaces for trucks and boats and 113 single spaces for spectators and co-anglers.

Construction continues at the Green Pond Landing complex, which will eventually feature an amphitheater, courtesy dock, walking trails and two bathroom buildings. The launch facility, located in Anderson, S.C., was a common destination for Lake Hartwell anglers even before the massive expansion. Now it’s one of the gems of the city.

As one of the top recreational destinations in the Southeastern United States, Lake Hartwell is home to several sprawling marinas.

Sailing is another popular pastime on the lake.

The lower end of Lake Hartwell has plenty of sloping points and underwater islands that serve as targets for fishermen at various times during the year. Because Hartwell is the site of so many local tournaments, many say man-made brush piles can be found on virtually every point and hump.

Hartwell Dam is located on the Savannah River, about seven miles below the point where the Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers join to form the Savannah

Construction began on Hartwell Dam in October 1955, and the project was completed in 1963. The Corps of Engineers had three main purposes for building the dam â hydropower, flood control and navigation. The power plant was finished in 1961, with the first generator going online during the spring of 1962.

Even during the 1950s and ’60s, the dam cost more than $89 million to build.

The top of the dam is 204 feet above the Savannah River bed, and the depth of the water behind the dam is approximately 180 feet.

The “big-water” area will provide mapping challenges for the Classic anglers.

During the December visit, the lake was down approximately 5 feet. The lake has risen slightly and is now only 3.6 feet below full pool. Bassmaster Elite Series pro Aaron Martens said Tuesday as he was crossing Lake Hartwell that he wished the off-limits period for the Classic wasn’t in progress because the lake looked “very fishable.”

Lake Hartwell has more than 11,000 active permits for boat docks. Depending on weather and water conditions, the docks could play into some anglers’ fishing strategies.

One resident puts some work in on the exposed bank.

Trees have been planted on some of the mid-lake islands to help mark them when the water levels are higher.

House boats are a common sight on the lake throughout the year.

Low lake levels aren’t that unusual on Lake Hartwell, but these are far from the lowest the lake has seen. During past droughts, the lake has been as much as 25 feet below full pool. It was about 15 feet below full pool during the 2008 Bassmaster Classic.

Fishermen were out in force on Lake Hartwell in December â some preparing for the Classic, others simply taking advantage of a nice winter day.

Though Lake Hartwell is the site of many expensive lakeside homes, it also has gorgeous undeveloped areas where deer and wild turkeys are often seen.

Two boats fish some of the 962 miles of shoreline that Hartwell has to offer.

Hartwell is a huge draw for recreational boaters, and many store their boats at local marinas year-round.

Lake Hartwell Fishing & Marine, owned by Cliff Bowman, is located at the intersection of Highways 187 and 24 in Anderson, S.C. It is a regular destination for Hartwell anglers, carrying everything from snacks and drinks to live blueback herring.

The Appalachian Mountains can be seen in the background.

Memorial Stadium, known to most college football fans as “Death Valley” is one of the first Clemson University facilities to come into view during an aerial tour of Lake Hartwell.

Clemson University isn’t just “close” to Lake Hartwell. It literally covers 1,400 acres along the lake’s shoreline.

If not for a special diversion dam, the football stadium and much of the Clemson campus would often be under 8-10 feet of water.

Construction continues daily on the Clemson campus.

Another great look at Death Valley, site of “most exciting 25 seconds in college football.” That is the term used to describe the Clemson Tigers’ entrance onto the field, which carries them down a hill and past a monument known as “Howard’s Rock.”

The Dr. I.M. Ibrahim Stadium hosts Clemson’s soccer team.

An overhead view of the university’s Littlejohn Coliseum.

The baseball field is partially covered during December. The program has produced such star Major League players as pitchers Kris Benson and Jimmy Key, infielder Jeff Baker, catcher Danny Sheaffer and outfielder Tyler Colvin.

The track and field area showcases various Olympic sports.

Athletes circle the track during afternoon practice.

The calm water reflects the clouds in the sky.

Wild turkeys scamper through a cleared field.

One of the narrow, snaking tributaries that feeds Lake Hartwell.

Some of the farm land that borders Lake Hartwell.

Several docks were resting on dry ground in December.

Clear water on Lake Hartwell makes the bottom clearly visible in some areas.

Small islands that were easily seen in December will be less visible as the water rises, but they are well-marked by buoys to avoid becoming water hazards. The floating docks on the lake will simply rise along with the water level.

An overhead view of exit 1 on Interstate 85.

Shelton Fireworks is right off of exit 2.

Another splendid view of all the nooks and crannies Lake Hartwell has to offer.

And another…

More acres of undeveloped land near the banks of Lake Hartwell.

Cows grazing within sight of the lake.

More of the long, sloping points often targeted by anglers.

A boat stationed between the shoreline and one of the lake’s many small islands.

Horses paying no mind to the passing helicopter.

Locals working on equestrian skills near the lake.

The Anderson Regional Airport soon comes into view as the tour draws to a close.

Final approach to the landing platform.

Closer…

Done. Thanks to pilot Scott Dunn for the super-smooth tour of the lake and to Lake Hartwell Association president Herb Burnham for serving as tour guide.