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July-August 2015
FOLKS Annual Meeting
On Thursday, June 11, 2015, about 100 people attended
the 22nd FOLKS Annual Meeting. From 5:00-5:30 there was an
opportunity to talk with old friends and meet new members over
libations. When the buffet BBQ dinner was available, all got quiet as
people worked their way through a very good meal followed by what
has become our standard dessert: Costco layer cakes. This year was a
record: 2-1/2 cakes were consumed!
President Jack Lewis opened the meeting with a short discussion
of where we have come from and what stands in front of us. Part
of his discussion centered on the issue of invasive species, which are
not a current problem but may well be one in the future with more
boats launching in Lake Keowee after fishing or boating in other lakes
that do have invasive species. Past Presidents, Board Members, Lake
Sweepers and Island Keepers, and all Volunteers were asked to stand
and be thanked.
Contents
FOLKS Annual Meeting
1
President’s Corner
2
Invasive Species: Hydrilla
3
Practical Limnology: Summertime Fun
4
Musings with Patrick McMillan
8
K-T River Basin Water Resources Update Summer 2015
10
Square Dances: 70-Year Tradition at Oconee State Park
14
Bass Breathe and Eat, Even in Summer
16
Hello FOLKS! Introducing Nams Sengupta
18
Did you know? FOLKS on Facebook
18
Gardening, Naturally! Water: Our Planet’s Precious Resource
20
SCBG: Garden Happenings
22
New FOLKS Board Member: Rick Sommer
22
Advertiser’s Corner: Benjamin F. Edwards & Co.
23
Introducing New Business Member: South Carolina Botanical Garden 24
Rain Barrel Painting: Volunteer Artist Needed!
24
FOLKS Corporate & Business Members
25
FOLKS Membership & Donations Update
26
We thanked Duke Energy, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative,
Oconee County Solid Waste, Joe’s New York Pizza, Ye Olde
Sandwich Shoppe, For the Birds, and the staff of The Lighthouse
Restaurant and Event Center. A special thank-you was expressed
to Michelin North America for affording us the opportunity to
raise $820 on a raffle for a set of tires certificate!
We also thank all of our Corporate and Business Members
and asked members to thank them for supporting FOLKS when
they frequent their places of business.
Board nominees were approved by the membership:
Bob Cassam and Carl Dunn, both returning for a three-year
term following a year off, and Rick Sommer. Although he was
introduced at the meeting, there is an article about his background
on page 22 in this issue of The Sentinel.
Our entertaining guest speaker was Terry Allen, owner of
For the Birds and known affectionately as the “Birdman.” He
discussed Birds and your Backyard. Ben presented a short “Trip
Through our Beginning,” a selection of clips from Sentinels from
our earliest times.
The token of appreciation was a waterproof first aid kit
along with an insulated tote bag compliments of Oconee County
Solid Waste Department. We thank those businesses who
provided door prizes, and it looks like we had too many to give
out in a short period of time. E
early 1990s hydrilla was introduced to the Lake, which required
treatment through the use of chemicals, a lowering of the lake
level and removal by pulling out the plants by hand. Hydrilla
is a problem in the lakes near us and can easily be transported
to our lake by boats and trailers that have been in those lakes.
Another threat to the lake are exotic plants used in decorative
water features and the careless disposal of the plants once they
have served their purpose. The answer to the invasive species
problem appears, in part, to be education, constant reminders
and inspections at the launch sites around the lake.
On the good news side there is a significant increase in
police presence at the Falls Creek access area, which is most likely
the result of the recent drowning near Jumping Off Rock. In
addition, No Parking signs have been erected on both sides of
the access road, which will provide better access for emergency
vehicles. We assume that this is a joint effort between Oconee
County and Duke Energy, which we applaud. In spite of the new
signs on the islands, it is apparent that people are ignoring their
message since there have been two fires on islands during the last
four years. If you see a fire on an island or on a beach, do not
approach the people but call the DNR 24-hour hotline (1-800922-5431) or the Oconee County Sheriff (864-638-4111) or the
Pickens Count Sheriff (864-868-2603).
President’s
Corner
by Jack Lewis
Here it is half way through the summer and remarkably
all three lakes, Hartwell, Jocassee and Keowee, are at or near full
pond. This is quite different than the lake levels much of the time
over the last decade and especially in contrast to the levels during
the drought of 2008. The beauty of the lakes is greatly enhanced
being full of water, having a well-defined shoreline outlined by
greenery, not by brown mud, and it is great not having to worry
about lake levels and water discharges. Enjoy while it lasts.
Ben has been doing some research into what our bordering
states are doing concerning boating safety and buoy placement.
He found that in July 2014 Georgia initiated a law which
mandates idle speeds within 100 feet of a person or any other
object in the water and near the shorelines of residences and
You will note the article immediately following on Invasive
Species, which is something we must be aware of, systematically
combat and list as one of the top priorities for FOLKS in the
future. I am a native Central New Yorker and remember when
lamprey eels were introduced into the Great Lakes and how the
lake trout population was almost wiped out by this invasive
species. Now the Great Lake have been invaded by the zebra
mussel, which has attached itself to everything and washed up
on shores where you cannot walk in bare feet. The zebra mussel
has now invaded all of the Finger Lakes by being transported
through carelessness by boats and trailers from the Great Lakes.
Lake Keowee is also at risk for invasive species. During the early
1980s someone in their questionable wisdom introduced the
spotted bass to the lake, which have caused a significant decline
in the largemouth bass and black crappie populations. Also in the
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public use areas. Jumping the wake of another vessel within 100 feet is also illegal. They
also have enacted a mandatory boater safety education course for all boat operators born
after January 1, 1998. North Carolina has a buoy placement provision where buoys can be
placed because of safety issues. After we have completed our research of neighboring state
regulations, we will present our findings to our Legislative Delegation.
I want to thank all our members who joined and supported FOLKS at our annual
meeting held at The Lighthouse restaurant. It was a treat to meet and greet all of you
and hope that you came away with a feeling of our commitment to Lake Keowee. We
are planning a get-together fundraiser at The Lighthouse Cabana Club on September 19
which will be called “Boatober Fest” consisting of beer, brats and boats along with a band.
We will provide more detailed information later and hope you can make it. E
Friends Of Lake Keowee Society
4065 Keowee School Road
Seneca SC 29672
e-mail: keoweefolks@charter.net
Invasive Species
The issue of invasive species has not been a problem on Lake Keowee, except for the
hydrilla likely planted by some avid fisherman in the early 1990s and removed by Duke
Energy lowering the lake and digging them up and spraying. In North Carolina along the
Catawba River Lakes there is a significant hydrilla problem with about 1,000 of the 80,000
acres infested. The photo “Hydrilla infestation” shows how the infestation looks and it can
go down to depths of 20-25 feet. The other photo shows “Hydrilla entanglement.”
As noted above, this is not an issue on Lake Keowee but it can be if boaters and
fishermen are careless and do not remove all plant fragments from boats. Trailers and
bait tanks before they leave any infested lake, and disposing of the plant fragments in
appropriate containers.
We do not know what Duke Energy’s plan is for preventing a hydrilla infestation for
Lake Keowee but will be checking with them to see about some educational signage. E
Board of Directors
Jack Lewis, President
Greg Buck
Gary Burns
Bob Cassam
Carl Dunn
Cathy Reas Foster
Dave Goeckel
Dot Jackson, Emeritus John Kent
Rod McGinley
John Schmid
Rick Sommer
Ed Weiland
Brooks Wade (Friends Of Jocassee)
Executive Director
Ben Turetzky
Committee Chairs
Buildings & Grounds
Endowment/Finance
HEP Committee Rep.
HEP Committee Alt.
Membership
Technical Chl “a”
Technical E. coli
Summer Intern
Web Administrator
open
Greg Buck
Carl Dunn
Dave Goeckel
Ben Turetzky
William J. Miller
Bob Swank
Namrata Sengupta
Judy Koepnick
The Sentinel
Advertising
Editor/Layout
Rod McGinley
Judy Koepnick
Advisors
Dr. Jeffrey Adelberg
Dr. Larry Dyck
Dr. Alan Elzerman
Dave Kroeger
Dr. Patrick McMillan
Lois Ardelean
Bill Ebeling
Dr. John Hains
Dr. Drew Lanham
Dr. Calvin Sawyer
Ombudsmen
Bob Cassam
The FOLKS Sentinel is published six times a year
and mailed to all active FOLKS members. Any
reproduction or duplication of this publication, or any
part thereof, must be done with the publisher’s written
permission. FOLKS is not responsible for the claims
made by the advertisers.
Sentinel advertising rates can be found at:
http://www.keoweefolks.org/FOLKS/Sentinels.html
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Practical Limnology
This is, however, to remind us that we cannot underestimate the
importance of safe and responsible boat operation.
Summertime Fun
Of course, there is also the risk of some kind of bacterial
infection and the specter of E. coli usually comes to mind here.
And yes, this is of concern…more so if there are a lot of people
and wildlife sharing the water where you’re swimming because
those waterfowl (especially the large numbers of geese) and other
wildlife can soil the area as effectively as we can. But overall again,
Lake Keowee is less likely to have a severe problem than, say, a
poorly treated swimming pool or a farm pond.
by Dr. John Hains, Clemson University College of Agriculture,
Forestry & Life Science
Summer in the Southeast is a wonderful time. The air is
hot and if we’re lucky it will be so humid that we can practically
cut it with a knife. It is during these times that life in general finds
its stride and nearly everything is taking as much advantage of the
temperatures and sunlight as possible.
But thinking about waterfowl, those of us who are recent
migrants from up north might also know a little about a nondeadly nuisance called swimmers itch or sometimes duck rash.
We might even have suffered that rash in the past after swimming
in Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, or elsewhere at those
latitudes. This is an interesting case in which an aquatic organism
has made a mistake about its potential host. This is because the
rash-causing organism is a flatworm parasite (schistosome) that
has two alternate hosts. The definitive hosts are often waterfowl
species such as ducks or geese (but really any waterfowl will do)
and also can include raccoons, muskrats, or other mammalian
wildlife that frequent the water. The eggs of the parasite are
released into the water in feces (and those geese, as many of
you already know, are prolific producers). The eggs hatch into a
miracidia form that then has about 24 hours to find the alternate
host, certain species of aquatic snails, which they infect. Later,
after developing in the snails, a new free-swimming larval form
It is also in the summer when I begin to get calls about the
kinds of things that we don’t want to happen to us while we are
enjoying our lakes, and Lake Keowee is no exception. So if you’ve
read some of these columns in the past, this will be a reminder
with perhaps some new things to think about.
Keeping in mind that Lake Keowee is not a natural lake in
the sense that it was constructed as part of the design of a nuclear
generating facility, and keeping in mind that a large proportion
of us might not have landed in this area if not for Lake Keowee
but rather would have retired in some other Southern location,
there’s not much about the lake that isn’t heavily influenced by
people and the way we use it. This is not to say that the way other
organisms use Lake Keowee is unnatural because that would be
incorrect. Those so-called natural processes work exactly the same
way in Lake Keowee as they do in natural lakes and that is often
the source of concern for some persons…or humor when I speak
about monsters.
Cont’d p. 6
But giant catfish aside, it seems to be a perennial concern
that someone might contract some kind of terrible malady from
swimming in Lake Keowee. Most of the time such risks are quite
remote. So for the sake of focus, not to mention reality, we can
set dangerous fish aside altogether, and snakes for that matter.
There are no cottonmouth snakes on this or any other nearby
lake. It is too far out of their range. And if someone does dump
an alligator into Lake Keowee, well that would certainly make
things interesting but hardly a risk unless someone’s little dog
decided to tease the gator at the water’s edge. No, we’ll focus on
the microscopic world.
The big concern is the so-called brain-eating amoeba and
this is a real organism that really does kill a few of us every year,
just not in this area. The organism, Naegleria fowleri, is real
and it occurs almost everywhere, including Lake Keowee, and
we don’t completely understand what controls its conversion to
a virulent form nor do we completely understand why only a
few of us seem to be susceptible. But what we do know is that
in warmer waters including swimming pools and hot tubs, this
amoeba can enter a life stage in which it has the capability to
infect a human and cause primary amoebic meningoencephalitis
(or PAM, if we think the other name is hard to pronounce).
Because it is nearly 100% fatal we have good statistics on these
infections, which indicate that the rate of infection is far less than
the probability of being killed in a boating accident (the topic
of another past column). So unless you are frightened easily, we
can relax and enjoy Lake Keowee without worrying about PAM.
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From p. 4
(cercaria) emerges and swims for a while and reinfects the birds
UNLESS a hapless human happens to be swimming in that area.
In that case, the cercaria mistakenly burrow into the skin and
almost immediately die, causing an itchy rash which in most
cases will be less severe than a case of poison ivy. If you are one of
those recent “transplants,” you can set your mind at ease on Lake
Keowee and most other Southern lakes. As far as I know there has
never been such an instance on Lake Keowee or any other nearby
lake.
To explain why takes only a little research. First, in the
case of Lake Keowee, there just aren’t many aquatic snails at all.
It wouldn’t matter if infected birds did land on Lake Keowee,
there’s practically no presence of the alternate host. Second, if we
dig a little into the literature, we find that many such parasites are
very specific about their hosts (hence their failure to be able to
complete their life cycle in us). The species of snails that harbor
these parasites up north just aren’t here. No host, no life cycle, no
swimmer’s itch. And while I confess a certain inexplicable affinity
for ducks, I harbor no such affinity for those ghastly creatures,
the geese. I just can’t finger either of them for this crime against
humanity (although I’m willing to tag geese with others).
So what’s next on the list? Well, let’s face it…compared
with our fellow humans, especially the drunk ones who didn’t
know how to operate a boat even while sober, nature really can’t
compete as a source of mortality. So stay safe, boat safely (and
soberly), and go ahead and enjoy the water. E
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Patrick D. McMillan, PhD
Director, SC Botanical Garden
Host, Expeditions with Patrick McMillan
Director, Bob Campbell Geology Museum
Clemson University School of Agricultural, Forest, and
Environmental Sciences
interactive, canopy walk will, I believe, set our Children’s Garden
above all others. The story behind the design is compelling and
moving, and the design is out of this world. I hope you will join
me in supporting our efforts to raise the funds needed to see this
incredible design become a reality. This is a world-class design
and will set the tone for everything that happens in the Garden
from here forward. A very special thank-you to the Bauld and
Turner families for the spark that began this process and the spirit
to see it through to completion. E
Sometimes I can’t believe how quickly our Garden is
transforming. Many things that we have wanted to see happen
here for so many years are becoming reality.
We have just hired our new curator for the Bob Campbell
Geology Museum, Dr. Adam Smith, who is joining us from
Chicago’s Field Museum. We are extremely lucky to have such
a talented, decorated and energetic addition to our staff. Adam’s
background is vertebrate paleontology, a perfect fit for the
Museum. Check out the new habitats around the Hunt Cabin
and the construction progress this summer on the Longleaf Pine
savanna habitat. The Chihuahuan collection (desert garden) is
growing and thriving and unbelievably beautiful.
The focus of the 4th Annual Garden Gala was the new
renovations and construction in the Children’s Garden. We were
extremely pleased to have the Hon. Senator Lindsey Graham
as a sponsor for this year’s gala and to receive a strong letter
of support from the Hon. Governor Nikki Haley. Over 300
people attended the gala, and their energy, mood of celebration
and forward momentum were palpable. We were honored for
President Clements, Provost Bob Jones, President Emeritus Jim
Barker and Dean and VP of PSA George Askew to join us for
the evening. Dr. Drew Lanham, the invited speaker, gave what I
think was the most powerful speech I’ve heard delivered in public,
period! We all touched on the importance of this incredible
place, the potential it has to transform lives and to become a
world-class destination. A huge part of the transformation will be
the completion of the Children’s Garden.
Children’s Gardens are often not a central focus of a
botanical garden, but the innovative and incredible design
put forth by Melissa Bauld and Brian Rome of the incredible,
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K-T River Basin Water Resources Update Summer 2015
George Galleher, P.E., Duke Energy Carolinas Hydro Fleet Operations, (Prepared June 23, 2015)
This entire article with full-sized graphics is available on the FOLKS website: Hot Topics, Duke Energy, “K-T Summer Water Resources Update.”
I am writing this following the June 21 summer solstice
which defines the moment the earth's tilt toward the sun is at
a maximum. As hot as it is, most of us look forward to a little
more tilt away from maximum. Even though it seems dry, the
precipitation data from Greenville suggests we are only about an
inch behind the long-term average since January 1st.
If we look at the USGS gage on the Chattooga River for
the period January 1 to June 23, the current streamflow is 238 cfs
or well below the 25th percentile flow of 352 cfs. This downward
trend has been persistent since early May.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) graphic below depicts
regional streamflow for June 22nd relative to long-term average
values. As you can see in the area circled in green, many locations
are showing below normal hydrologic conditions. The USGS
describes a percentile as a value on a scale of one hundred that
indicates the percent of a distribution that is equal to or below it.
For example, on the map of daily streamflow conditions, a river
discharge at the 90th percentile is equal to or greater than 90
percent of the discharge values recorded on that day of the year
during all years measurements were taken. A streamflow below
the 25th percentile is considered low. Therefore in our example
below, flows in the ranges of 6th-9th percentile are widespread
with some values showing less than or equal to the 5th percentile.
www.keoweefolks.org
Due to the high temperatures, we have to consider
evaporation from lake surfaces such as Lake Keowee. The
Clemson-Seneca Airport data for the period January 1 through
June 22, 2015 recorded 18.8 inches of precipitation, but also
shows evaporation from an open water surface equivalent to 24.6
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inches for the same period. Looking at June alone, they have
recorded 3.6 inches of precipitation and 5.1 inches of evaporation.
Seasonally speaking, your plants, gardens and trees are “greening
up” which means that evapotranspiration (the combination of
evaporation from free water surfaces and transpiration of water
from plant surfaces to the atmosphere) is increasing.
Another factor to consider is soil moisture. The NOAA
graph below suggests that soil moisture conditions are below
normal for this time of year. Looking at NOAA forecasts we
see that the end of July and the end of September suggests an
expectation of normal conditions.
As an additional data point, the groundwater well in
Oconee County supported financially by Duke and maintained
by the USGS suggests the winter recharge was generally less than
long term average values. However, following a large storm in late
April, it is now at expected levels for this time of year.
What are summer temperature and precipitation
projections? NOAA is suggesting that the K-T River Basin will
see an equal chance for above, below or normal precipitation in
July. They expect that it will be warmer than normal in July.
They also expect dry conditions to prevail from July to September
and to likely be warmer than normal.
www.keoweefolks.org
One additional trend to consider is that the NOAA
Cont’d p. 12
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From p. 11
Drought Monitor has been slowly expanding what they classify
as abnormally dry conditions (highlighted in yellow in the
graph below dated June 16, 2015) in and along the Southern
Appalachian Mountains and Piedmont of the Southeast. Based
on current conditions, I expect abnormally dry conditions to
expand into the K-T River Basin over the next few weeks.
The tropical forecast for this hurricane season calls for
below average tropical activity with 10 named storms, including 5
hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes. Though we haven’t discussed
it, the strengthening El Nino can help to suppress tropical activity
so we will have to wait and see what develops.
In summary, the streamflow and rainfall appears to be
below normal for this time of year as is the soil moisture. The
Drought Monitor appears to be expanding gradually in North
and South Carolina, particularly as it applies to the KeoweeToxaway Watershed. The national forecasts suggest a probability
for below-average precipitation in July along with warmer
temperatures. E
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Square Dances: 70-Year Tradition at Oconee State Park
by Scott Alexander, Park Ranger
If one word is used to describe Oconee State Park it is tradition. The park was built during the Great Depression by the Civilian
Conservation Corps (CCC). Prior to the park’s opening locals from Walhalla used to drive all the way to Highlands NC on weekends to
square dance. In the mid 1940s a building was erected at the park
to host square dances and other recreational uses. Since that time
Oconee State Park has hosted a square dance every Friday night
of the summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day. By the 1970s
these dances had become so popular that they had outgrown
the building where they were being held. At that time a new
gymnasium style facility was constructed. Known as The Barn,
this building has hosted the square dances ever since. You cannot
say you are truly familiar with the traditions of the area unless you
have attended a square dance at Oconee State Park.
In addition to square dancing Oconee State has a variety
of other activities. This 1,100 acre park has a large campground
and twenty rental cabins constructed by the CCC. There are two
lakes within the park where visitors can fish, swim, and enjoy a
boat ride. Oconee State Park also has a number of hiking trails
and a putt-putt course. Recently Oconee State Park was added
to the National Register of Historic Places for its depression era
architecture.
Oconee State Park is located on highway 107 north of Walhalla. The park is operated by the SC Department of Parks, Recreation,
& Tourism. For additional information please call 864-638-5353 or visit our web site at www.southcarolinaparks.com E
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Bass Breathe and Eat, Even in Summer
by Bill Walker, Keowee Anglers Tournament Director
June 17, 2015 Salem SC
So, as a big bass, your best strategy is to go deep until you
get hungry, then come up close to shallows where your food is, but
still in the cool water below the thermocline that holds enough
oxygen for you to breathe well. You can hold there, building up
the oxygen in your body, kind of like humans breathing deeply
before diving under the water. Then, when your body has a lot of
oxygen, you can make a foray into the hotter, oxygen-depleted,
shallow water looking for food. When your body oxygen runs
low, you can retreat to your holding area nearby to build up your
body oxygen for another foray. And when you’ve gotten enough
to eat, you can settle back down into the cool depths and relax
until you get hungry again.
Bass are hard to find in Lake Keowee in the summer. If
you understand why they are hard to find, then you have a better
chance of finding and catching them.
Like you and me, bass need to eat and breathe to survive.
One of the ways they are different from you and me is that they
are cold blooded, which means that their body takes on the
temperature of the water around them. And, since all chemical
processes happen faster at higher temperatures, the warmer the
water gets in Lake Keowee, the faster bass body processes go and
the more they need to eat and breathe.
At the same time, the warmer water gets, the less dissolved
oxygen it can hold. So fish, especially big fish, find it harder
and harder to breathe in shallow water as the Lake Keowee water
temperature rises to its summer levels.
“Well, this is all very interesting,” you say, “but let’s be
practical. I’m really not a bass. I’m an angler out in my boat
looking for bass. Where do I go to try to catch some?”
Remember, bass are going to spend only the little time
necessary to feed in the shallow water, and will spend most of
their time in the deeper, cooler, oxygen rich water. Since fishing
down on the bottom in a hundred feet of water is not practical,
the place you’re most likely to find catchable bass is under the
thermocline in oxygen-rich water that is a very short run to the
shallows where they find food. So, based on that, here are several
approaches you can try to find bass with some chance of success.
Already, in late June, in most areas of Lake Keowee, the
surface water temperature has now risen above 80°F, and that
temperature extends down below the surface ten to twelve
feet to the first thermocline. In July/August, the surface water
temperature will reach the upper 80s to low 90s for the summer,
and that temperature will eventually extend down about 20 feet
to the first thermocline.
“Okay,” you say, “but how does this help me find bass?”
1. You can fish with surface lures and shallow-running
crank baits at the edges of main lake shallow points that drop off
suddenly to water more than 25 feet. These points provide the
bass with the shortest foray migration path between the oxygenrich, deeper, cooler water and the shallows where their food
prefers to stay, so in these areas bass can quickly move shallow,
eat, and move deep again. Fish the edges of these shallow areas
at the drop-offs into the deeper water. And fish at the crack of
dawn when the water in the shallows is the coolest. The crack
of dawn is when it’s still dark, but if you look to the east you
can see the first hint of morning light. In early July with a clear
sky on Lake Keowee that’s about 5 a.m. and gets later as the
summer progresses. You’re not likely to catch bass this way after
the sunshine hits the water for the day and starts warming it up.
(Another terrain with short migration paths between the deep
and shallow water where small fish hang out is the earthen dams
Imagine you’re a big bass trying to survive in Lake Keowee
in summer. You have a basic choice: go deep or go shallow. (I
don’t think bass make this choice consciously like humans would,
but instinct, hunger and body oxygen levels drive them to go one
way or the other.)
If you go deep, the water is cooler, your body cools down,
and your body processes slow down. You need less oxygen to
breath and less food to eat. But eventually you still have to eat,
and your food is in the shallows because small fish are far less
oxygen sensitive than larger fish and the smaller fish find their
own food and safety in the shallows.
If you go shallow, you’ll find food to eat, but the water
you’re processing in your gills doesn’t have enough oxygen to
keep you going for long, so when you “run out of breath,” you
have to go deep for more oxygen.
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where Route 130 goes along the lake and the riprap drops off
quickly into deep water.)
bottom toward the bar in a kind of undertow and makes it more
comfortable for bass to lurk there in the cooler water hunting
for small fish that the current sweeps past the edge of the bar.
Also, any green algae in these shallows releases oxygen into the
water as part of photosynthesis, making the downwind side of the
shallows more oxygen rich.
2. Once the sunshine hits the water, or even earlier, you
can drag Carolina-rigged, plastic worms and other soft baits, live
worms, and live minnows along the 20-40 feet depth contours
near the usual shallow areas where bass feed to try for the bass
that are holding there between runs into the shallows for food.
If the sky is clear, the sun is high, and the water surface is calm,
bass are likely to be at the deeper end of that range. This is where
bass spend most of their time in summer when they are shallow
enough to be catchable.
5. You can go to tail race of the Jocassee Dam where water
enters Lake Keowee in the summer at about 70°F when the dam
is generating power. There is more oxygen in the colder water
there, and schools of baitfish and bass are often active for a few
hours when the dam starts generating each day. The trick here is
to use a lure that closely resembles the baitfish, because the bass
there know exactly what their target meal looks like. However,
don’t pick a lure that is exactly like the baitfish, or your lure will
be just one-in-a-trillion among the baitfish, and then what are
the odds a bass will pick yours to gobble? So in that environment
you want your lure to be similar enough to the baitfish so the bass
will accept it, but slightly different to stand out just enough so
the bass will notice and go for your lure instead of the trillions of
baitfish. Your lure also needs to be heavy enough to cast a long
distance since the bass are often not considerate enough to feed
close to fishing boats!
3. You can troll deep looking for bass suspended below
the warm surface water. Unlike largemouth bass that prefer the
cover of a shoreline, spotted bass often suspend in the deeper
water. To try for suspended bass, if you don’t have downriggers,
use about 2½ ounces of weight ahead of 3-6 feet of leader attached
to a deep-diving crank bait. If you let out 100 feet or more of line
and troll very slowly with your main engine, you can figure your
lure will be down about 35 feet or so. (After you lose a few lures
passing over areas that are too shallow you’ll get a better handle
on how deep your lures really are for your rig and your trolling
speed. Don’t take it personally, losing lures that way happens
to all of us while we are calibrating our rigs!) People have been
successful doing this trolling along the sides of deep channels and
points in 50 to 90 feet of water. I personally don’t troll, but I’ve
heard from those who troll successfully that a good time of day to
try this is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with at least a slight breeze and some
clouds in the sky.
Whatever you try, good luck! Summer is still the hardest
time to catch bass on Lake Keowee. So go prepared with
appropriate clothing to at least enjoy the experience, including a
wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. It’s really beautiful
out there, especially in the cooler morning air just before sunrise.
As my father often used to tell me, “He who goes fishing and
complains that he didn’t catch fish forgot why he went.” E
4. During days with a strong wind, you can fish with
spinner baits and baitfish-colored crank baits in areas where the
wave action puts more oxygen into the water. In these conditions
there are two likely bass hangouts. First, try fishing a windward
shore where the waves are crashing into riprap. It may be hard
to control your boat in the wind, but the waves breaking on the
shore not only put more oxygen into the water, the waves also
dislodge baitfish from their rock hiding places and force them
out into open water where the bass have learned to wait for them!
Second, try fishing a shallow bar (2-10 feet deep) near deep water
where the wind is blowing waves over the bar, putting some
oxygen into the water and generating a little current across the
bar. On the down-wind edge of the bar the wind current forms
a vertical eddy that sucks some of the cooler water up along the
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Hello FOLKS!
Did you know?
I have recently started working with FOLKS as an
environmental communication volunteer. I have helped set up
a social media presence for the organization through Facebook.
We want to reach out to a fairly larger member and volunteer
base through our online presence. We wish to get the word
out to people beyond Oconee and Pickens Counties about the
organization, its activities and our overall goal of protecting
Lake Keowee. I also intend to write some short communications
and articles for The Sentinel in the near future, covering topics
that would revolve around the lake, environmental health and
conservation initiatives.
I am currently pursuing my PhD in Environmental
Toxicology from Clemson University. My research at Clemson
University focuses on understanding the effects of environmental
stressors (chemical contaminants and diet restrictions) on the
health of the freshwater flea, Daphnia magna, which is also a
model organism used by US EPA to understand pollution in
freshwater systems. While at Clemson, I co-founded a waterquality outreach education program for high school students.
I have also mentored several undergraduate and high school
students in environmental research at my university. I am
passionate about science communication, mentoring, citizen
science and outreach education.
I was born and raised in India. I grew up in Kolkata (in
eastern part of India) and pursued my undergraduate studies in
chemistry. I moved to Bangalore (in southern part of India) to
pursue an MS in biotechnology and then worked for two years
with an environmental nonprofit organization, before coming to
USA for my doctoral studies. My parents still live in Kolkata. I
visit my family once every year for a month. My dream job would
be to become a science communicator and travel the globe!
I love this quote by Rosalind Franklin, one of my favorite
women-scientists: “Science and everyday life cannot and should
not be separated.” E
In addition to Constant Contact,
you can now get breaking news on
Facebook.
Check out our Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/KeoweeFOLKS
Namrata “Nams” Sengupta
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Gardening, Naturally!
Water: Our Planet’s Precious Resource
How blessed we are to live in a place where water runs
fresh and clean off mountains and through our communities.
We live surrounded by lush green deciduous woods that speak
of abundant water, where moss and mushrooms thrive. We are
privileged to live within easy access of sparkling lakes. A short
distance away is a strip of land along the Blue Ridge Divide
recognized as a temperate rainforest, where springs seep from
mountaintops. Life is good.
water too often. The argument that water is cheap and plants
are expensive fails when roots are rotting and fungus is creeping
through the lawn. Yet homeowners draw a huge amount of water
through irrigation systems, much of which is completely wasted,
purely for the sake of ornament.
Being of the “nothing is ever really lost, and nothing is ever
really gained” philosophy led me to question where all this ground
water goes, and it doesn’t surprise me to learn that it ultimately
ends up in the oceans. Ocean water evaporates and turns to rain,
but most rain falls within close proximity to the coast, leaving
interior regions increasingly dry. That’s a big problem. Ocean
levels are rising as a result. That’s another big problem.
Jarring, then, to read a report from NASA that says
humans are using up our fresh water resources at an alarming
rate. Not surprising but jarring nonetheless. According to Sandra
Postel, director of the Global Water Policy Project: “The rate
of groundwater depletion has doubled since 1960." NASA,
measuring a subtle variation in gravitational pull of the earth’s
surface, issued a report stating that 13 of the world’s 37 major
aquifers have passed the tipping point, pumping out more water
than is being replaced. To put this in terms even an economist
can understand, the surface water on earth is a checking account,
to be used as necessary and replenished when possible. But the
underground aquifers are a savings account. Worldwide, we are
emptying the checking account and dipping in to our savings.
Before we all yawn and go back to our 37-gallon cup of
coffee, let’s put our feet in the shoes of our neighbors out in
California. Will South Carolinians ever suffer brown golf courses,
or pay through the nose for water? Our population continues to
grow while our largest aquifer slowly declines. Even in the waterrich Upstate, we need to conserve, conserve, conserve, and do
everything we can to keep our precious water clean.
Questions? Comment? Concerns?
Email me! <thistleandthorn@gmail.com>
Trouble is, no one knows exactly how much groundwater
savings we have. There could be a lot, and right now humanity
is operating as if this is the case. But there might not be as
much water underground as we are counting on. Coastal towns
deal with saltwater intrusion during times of drought, and our
droughts in South Carolina, so far, have not been extremely
severe or extremely prolonged. Since 1893 the longest drought
recorded in our state lasted seven years, with several others lasting
five years. In between were periods of flooding rain, refilling our
reservoirs and – more slowly – recharging our aquifers.
Kay Wade E
Who is using up all the fresh water, to the extent that rivers
are wasting away and the ground is sinking over our precious
aquifers? Me, that’s who! According to an article in National
Geographic titled “The Hidden Water We Use,” that pound of
hamburger meat in my refrigerator took 1799 gallons of water to
produce. The two eggs I ate for breakfast took 53 gallons ... each.
One cup of coffee I had with my eggs took 37 gallons to produce.
(And I had three cups.) It took 1008 gallons of water to produce
the bottle of wine I enjoyed with last night’s supper. My leather
handbag has a “water footprint” of 1096 gallons. A pound of the
millet in my bird seed cost 660 gallons of fresh water. Counting
evaporation from the fields and treatment of wastewater in its
production, this inexpensive tee shirt I’m wearing cost 713 gallons
of water. Need I continue? If my math is correct, I, alone, without
even flushing the toilet or taking a shower or watering the garden,
just used up 5,493 gallons of water. How embarrassing.
On the other hand, I’ve spent a lifetime working to help
others cut back on water use in their gardens. Overwatering is
one of the biggest reasons that landscape plants – and lawns – fail
to thrive. We turn our garden plants into water junkies when we
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September 5, NATURE CENTER OPEN HOUSE:
SUN, LIGHT AND SHADOWS -- In this free drop-in, learn
about the magic and science of sun, light and shadows with
educator Sue Watts. Do hands-on experiments to explore the
properties of light, play with prisms and make a sun-print.
Make your own shadow puppet, learn how to harness the
power of the sun to tell time and other fun family activities.
Fee: Free. Time: 10 a.m. – noon
Ongoing
Dr. David Bradshaw, Garden naturalist, leads our monthly
first Friday nature walks. Dr. Bradshaw provides an awe-inspiring
tour of the garden on the first Friday of each month and no
two walks are ever the same. You will learn about the seasonal
blooms, migrating and nesting birds, new conservation projects,
and natural South Carolina habitats. Wear comfortable shoes and
appropriate dress for the weather. Walks always begin at the red
caboose, last between one and two hours, and are free. E
Things are heating up in July and August. If you haven’t
visited the new areas in the Garden, now is an excellent time.
Did you know that the SCBG houses one of the largest opuntia
collections in the world? The cacti collections around the Bob
Campbell Geology Museum have been flowering abundantly,
every day there is something new to see.
July 31, AQUATIC ADVENTURES -- Explore the
wonders of water! We’ll travel through the water cycle in a fun
game, create an edible aquifer and make a splash in the pond!
Each participant will make and take home a rain stick and water
cycle wristband. Must register at least 3 days in advance.
August 28, FAMILY NATURE NIGHTS: BUGS
& BLOOMS -- Join Garden Educators Allison Jones and
Kendra Vincent for some outdoor exploration. We’ll focus on
the theme of the evening as we enjoy the sights and sounds
of the Garden! Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy afterwards!
Please register at least 1 day in advance.
August 14, BACKYARD BUTTERFLIES -- In this
program, we’ll learn about the fascinating life cycles and habits
of butterflies, and we’ll find out how to identify butterflies
common to our area as well their caterpillars. We’ll observe
these enchanting creatures in the Butterfly Garden and discover
ways to attract butterflies to our own back yards. You’ll even
take something home to get your butterfly garden started!
Must register at least 3 days in advance.
August 20, GARDEN CREATIVITY: DREAM PILLOW
Pamper your-self in this afternoon workshop dedicated
to exploring the power of herbs with educator Sue Watts.
Create a dream pillow for yourself or as a special gift for a
friend. Make a restful, calming, and soothing mixture or
an energizing and stimulating herbal combination for your
pillow. In addition, you will make several herbal sachets
for baths or to freshen your drawers. All supplies provided.
Must register one week in advance. Fee: $30 Time: 4 – 6 p.m.
August 29, HUNT CABIN OPEN HOUSE: 19th
CENTURY GROCERY STORE -- The Hunt family relied on
buying or bartering, growing and foraging for food, very different
to our simple trips to the grocery store. We will explore all three
of these strategies in this fascinating open house with history
student Joseph Letts. Find out why coffee, sugar and spices were
so treasured. Help to shuck corn and grind wheat and learn the
importance of basic grains to the diet. Foraging in the woods and
fields were essential to sustain a healthy life. Many people relied on
plants for tonics and medicines, and the bounty of the forest in the
form of all manner of nuts supplemented other sources of nutrition.
Fee: Free Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
www.keoweefolks.org
New FOLKS Board Member
Rick Sommer and his wife Doris moved from Maryland
to their new home at South Oak Pointe earlier this year. One
of the first things he did was to join FOLKS and the Friends
Of Jocassee. His educational background is in botany and
plant ecology, and he worked for the American Association
for the Advancement of Science for 18 years during which one
assignment was as assistant editor of Science Magazine. He is
a Family Life Benefactor member of the Izaak Walton League
of America, which he joined in 1979. He has served on many
committees and held many offices in his local Chapters, in the
Maryland Division and National IWLA.
He has sales experience selling print display and online
advertising in Science and a number of other technical journals.
Rick and Doris have three children and seven grandchildren.
Rick purchased his first boat following orders from his
granddaughter Jordyn “to get something that will pull me on
a tube!” We are happy to have Rick join FOLKS Board of
Directors. E
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Advertiser’s Corner
INVESTMENTS for GENERATIONS
Founded in 2008, Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. is a growing, national wealth management firm that is committed to putting
its clients’ interests first. The firm’s sole mission is to provide its clients with personalized investment advice and service they expect
and deserve. Together, Ernie Wright, CFP®; Kate Wright Dill; and Shelley Holbrooks formed the Wright Wealth Management
Group, and opened the Clemson office located at 600 College Avenue in 2014.
The group has more than 50 years combined experience in the financial services industry and each member brings a
different skill set. Their clients know that the team is fully invested in their financial future – they are just another family member
that will be there for them and the next generation. The mission of the Wright Wealth Management Group is to manage their
clients’ risk as well as help clients set priorities and guide them toward financial independence.
Benjamin F. Edwards & Co.
600 College Avenue, Clemson SC 29631
(864) 653-7702
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Introducing New Business Member
South Carolina Botanical Gardens
The South Carolina Botanical Garden is a diverse 295 acres of natural landscapes, display gardens, and miles of streams and
nature trails. Together with distinguished education and outreach programs, a nationally recognized nature-based sculpture collection,
and the Bob Campbell Geology Museum, the SCBG is a premier site for experiencing nature and culture.
The South Carolina Botanical Garden is home to an official American Hosta Society Display Garden, a 70-acre arboretum, miles
of nature trails and streams, a butterfly garden, wildflower meadow and many specialty gardens. The Garden is also home to over 300
varieties of camellias, as well as an extensive collection of hollies, hydrangeas, magnolias and native plants.
The Fran Hanson Visitor’s Center and the Bob Campbell Geology Museum are open Monday through Saturday, 10:00am to
5:00pm, and Sundays 1:00pm to 5:00pm free of charge. Visit the Botanical Garden today and discover a place "where nature and
culture meet." E
Rain Barrel Painting
Volunteer Artist Needed!
FOLKS and Pickens County Stormwater Partners are donating a rain barrel to “For The
Birds” to use to fill up birdbaths and water native plants in the garden next to the store. Using
a rain barrel is a great way to reduce water bills, conserve water and reduce stormwater runoff,
which is water that flows untreated into the nearest storm drain and ultimately into our local
streams and lakes. Birds and plants can be healthier with rainwater instead of tap water, too!
To blend into the garden landscape, the barrel needs some birds painted on it (painting supplies
provided). Please call the FOLKS office if interested – 864-882-3655 E
Water is the driving force of all nature. – Leonardo da Vinci
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FOLKS Corporate & Business Members
We appreciate the support of our Corporate and Business Members and know that they will appreciate your patronage.
When you do so, please thank them for supporting FOLKS.
Corporate Members
Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Crescent Resources
Michelin North America
City of Seneca
Duke Energy World of Energy
Oconee Federal Savings & Loan
Clemson Downs
Greenville Water
The Reserve at Lake Keowee
Cliffs Land Partners, LLC
ITRON
Waterford Pointe Homeowners Assn.
Keowee Key Property Owners Assn.
Business Members
1st Choice Realty
Action Septic Tank Services
Airey Law Firm, Ltd. Co.
Archadeck
Benjamin F. Edwards & Co.
Blinds And Us
Blue Ridge Bank
The Boat Dock Company
Bob Hill Realty
Carolina Boat Club
Carolina Real Estate
Custom Dock Systems, Inc.
Don Brink CPA
Dorn’s Landscape Service
Elegant & Distinctive Interiors
English Home Builders
Financial Dynamics
For The Birds, Inc.
Front Gate Landscapes
Golden Corners Lakes Sail & Power
Squadron
Goldie & Associates
Green Thumb Landscape & Irrigation
www.keoweefolks.org
The Happy Berry
Head-Lee Nursery
Hidden Cove
ING Financial Partners
The Investment Center
J C Sports
Jocassee Lake Tours
Jocassee Outdoor Center
Jocassee Real Estate
Julian Davis Allstate Agency, Inc.
Justin Winter Sotheby’s International
Realty
Keowee Lake Team - Carol & Doug
Patterson
Keowee Towne Market
Kroeger Marine and Construction
The Lake Company-Lake Keowee
Lake Keowee Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Lake Keowee Ford
Lake Keowee Real Estate
Lake Keowee Marina
Lighthouse Restaurant & Event Center
Melanie Fink - 1st Choice Realty
My Garage Auto Boutique by Essex
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Northwestern Supply
The Paint Place
Patti & Gary - Keller Williams
Paul E. Galbreath, Septic Tank
Inspections & Mapping
Professional Gardening Services
Perry & Sally Rogers Real Estate, Inc.
Rainmaker, Inc.
Scarlett & Tom ReMax Foothills at
Lake Keowee
Sexton Griffith Custom Builders, LLC
South Carolina Botanical Gardens
South State Bank
Spencer & Stutsman, CPAs
State Farm - Anne O. McAlister, Agent
S-Tek Building Solutions
Strickland Marine Center
Terminix
The Tiki Hut
Tree South
Trees Unlimited/Shorescapes
Upstate Insurance Agency
Wine Emporium
864-882-3655
FOLKS Membership &
Donations Update
Welcome and thank-you to the new members and to those
who have renewed at levels above Family between May 1 and
July 1, 2015.
Donations:
Sidney & George Davenport
New Family Members:
Susan & David Barr, Friendly Brindleys, William Chew,
Steve Christensen, Maria Ebersol, Beverly Hornsby, Terry &
James Jacklin, Linda & Ron McGimpsey, Chris Vance
New & Renewing Patron Members:
Rebecca Bain, Wendy & Robert Giblin, Linda & George
Golz, Holly & Kevin Greenwalt, Cheryl Keith, Judith &
Charles Kellner, Lane & John Lynch, Dorothy Murray, Linda
& William Pinto, George Robinson, Sarah & Harold Seale,
Judi, Simpson, Pamela & Marlyn Stroven, Jane & James Van
Senus, Michael & Mary Wall
New & Renewing Sponsor Members:
Sindey & George Davenport, Mary & John Schmid
When you renew, please consider
stepping up to the next level:
1BUSPOt4QPOTPSt#FOFGBDUPS
BECOME A COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP
CONTACT
We need your help soliciting membership in your community.
FOLKS is not an organization just for waterside residents. We all live in a
watershed; we all have an effect on the lake by what we do and not do on
our property; and all of our property values are supported and enhanced
by a clean lake.
Becoming a Community Membership Contact involves giving a
welcome packet to new residents and talking about FOLKS membership
when the opportunity arises. FOLKS would also be pleased to conduct an
informal gathering in your community. Please call Maryjo at the FOLKS
office (882-3655) to find out how easy it can be.
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MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
New Member?
Renewal?
CLIP AND MAIL TO:
FRIENDS OF LAKE KEOWEE SOCIETY, INC.
4065 Keowee School Road, Seneca SC 29672
Name
Address
City
State
Zip
Phone
Student
$15/yr
Family
$45/yr
Patron
$100/yr
Sponsor
$250/yr
Benefactor $500/yr
Community/Subdivision
Sustainer $1,000 or more
(lifetime membership)
Business $100/yr
Occupation (past/present)
e-mail address
Corporate $500/yr
I would like to know about volunteer opportunities. Please contact me.
Do your neighbors and friends belong to FOLKS? If not, please pass this newsletter along and encourage
them to fill out a membership application. A membership form is also on-line at www.keoweefolks.org
DUES AND DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE
FOLKS is 501c (3) public service watershed organization.
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FRIENDS OF LAKE KEOWEE SOCIETY, INC.
4065 Keowee School Road
Seneca SC 29672
Address Service Requested
NONPROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
SENECA, SC
PERMIT NO. 70