Part 1: Establishing the Boundary

Have you ever wondered why the distance between the shoreline and the government boundary line varies around Hartwell Lake? Well, you’re not alone! This is one of the most frequently asked questions park rangers receive from adjacent landowners. The answer to the question is relatively simple, but can be somewhat complex to explain. Simply put, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers boundary line is based on a contour or elevation. But because contours vary according to topography, so does the distance between the shoreline and the Corps boundary line. If you look at a topographical map for instance, you will notice that the contour lines are close together at some places and farther apart at others. The closer the contour lines are together, the steeper the terrain is at that location. In low-lying, flatter areas, contour lines will be farther apart. This is why the Corps boundary is generally closer to the shoreline in steeper areas of the lake and farther away in more gradually sloped areas.

I know, there are already some of you saying, “That’s not how it is in my backyard!” As is evident, this is a general description of the boundary line. Now let’s look at the historical and technical background for the establishment of the Corps line at Hartwell. Corps projects nationwide were authorized under different legislation, according to the time they were constructed.

Prior to 1953, land acquisition by the Corps projects was largely determined on a case-by-case basis. From 1953 to 1962, the Corps acquired lands primarily to
the 5-year flood stage (flood stages are estimated elevations of water bodies that could reasonably occur at specified time intervals). Lands above the flood stage
could be acquired when justified. This policy, known as the Eisenhower Policy, limited land acquisition to that required for operational purposes. Hartwell Lake was authorized as an Eisenhower project. The 5-year flood stage for Hartwell is 665 ft mean sea level (msl). The elevation at the top of the floodgates
is also 665 ft msl while the elevation of the earthen embankments is 674 ft msl. In a worst-case scenario, considering the inflow and outflow of water into the reservoir, Hartwell Lake could reach 674 ft msl. The 150-year flood stage is 668 ft msl and the 1000-year flood stage is 670 ft msl. Based on this information and the topography of the area, the prescribed purchase boundary for the Hartwell Project was set at elevation 670 ft msl.

Does this mean that the Corps line concisely follows the 670 ft msl contour? The
answer is NO! The 670 ft elevation was used as a basis or standard for establishing the Corps line. By using aerial photos and topographical maps, ground crews placed iron pins and concrete monuments at elevations intended to include land required for operational purposes. With few exceptions such as roads and creeks, the Corps boundary line runs in straight lines from one corner pin or monument to another. Because the Corps line runs straight from pin to
pin, the distance between the shoreline and the Corps boundary varies more so than a true contour line. In summary, the Corps boundary line was determined by congressional criteria based on flood possibilities and operational needs.

Part 2: Maintaining the Boundary

The boundary line around Hartwell Lake is simply a property line that designates the land purchased for the purpose of the Hartwell Project. Just as your property line delineates the property you are responsible for, the Corps boundary line delineates the land the Corps of Engineers is responsible for. As is the case with most private property, the Corps boundary is established with “monuments” – iron pins and concrete posts.

The Hartwell Project has 840 miles of boundary line designated by 9800 monuments. The line has been established by survey with each monument identified by coordinates (latitude and longitude). Additionally, each pin and monument is assigned a specific “pin number” and mapped accordingly.

The markings most familiar to adjacent landowners, in relation to the Corps line, are the orange marks on trees around the lake. These painted trees DO NOT designate the exact line, but rather “witness” or mark the general proximity of the boundary line. There are four separate symbols used that represent different information.

A brochure is available from the Hartwell Lake Office explaining these markings and their meanings. These markings have two primary purposes – to inform lake users and adjacent landowners of the approximate Corps line location.

Why is it important that adjacent landowners know where the Corps line is located? As stewards of the public land around Hartwell Lake, it is the Corps responsibility to maintain and protect the land that has been entrusted to us. Part of this stewardship includes annual surveys of the Corps line to identify
and resolve encroachments and to reestablish missing or damaged monuments. An encroachment is a structure or improvement that extends over, across, in or upon Corps managed land that has not been approved. Encroachment resolution typically requires the removal of the encroaching structure. Knowing where your property lines are – including the common boundary you share with the Corps – can prevent costly corrections. To prevent the possibilities of encroachments, we encourage all adjacent landowners to have their property surveyed by registered land surveyors prior to constructing homes, outbuildings, or any other improvements. Surveys should tie into the established Corps boundary. Park rangers are available (by appointment) to meet on-site to discuss the Corps boundary and provide documented boundary line information.

www.sas.usace.army.mil/lakes/hartwell

Hartwell Power plant is referred to as a “peaking” plant – which means the power plant is designed to supply dependable power during hours of “peak” daily demand. In addition to being a very clean energy source, another major advantage of hydropower is the availability to come “on-line” (begin producing power) within a few minutes. Other types of power plants such as nuclear and fossil fuels often take several hours, at which point the peak demand has often passed. This ability to virtually produce power on demand during peak periods helps to reduce energy shortages (especially during the summer months) and makes hydropower, and the Hartwell Power plant, an exceptional resource.

Hydroelectric power is produced when water from Hartwell Lake flows through the intake section of the dam by large pipes called “penstocks”. The penstocks are located approximately 100 ft. below the surface of the reservoir. Water flows through these 24 ft. in diameter penstocks at a rate of 2 – 3 million gallons per minute when generating. The force of the water rotates the “turbines” which resemble large water wheels or fan blades. The rotating turbine causes the 41-inch diameter generator shaft to spin, which then causes the rotor to turn (the rotor is a series of magnets where the magnetic field is created). The rotor turns inside the “stator” – a stationary part of the generator made of copper coils of wire called “windings”. Electricity is produced as the rotor spins past (inside of) these windings. The generators create electricity in the form of volts. By means of transformers, the electric current produced is “stepped up” or increased in voltage from 13,800 volts to 230,000 volts for transmission to power companies or decreased in voltage for use in power plant operations. Water used in generating the power is discharged into the river below the dam, where it can be “reused” for additional purposes such as water supply and water quality needs of the Savannah River Basin.

Where Does the Power Go? Power produced at Hartwell and all other Corps operated power plants in the southeast, is marketed by the Department of Energy’s Southeastern Power Administration (SEPA). Power is sold through SEPA to private power companies and public cooperatives in the Southeastern U.S. and from there to customers of those companies. Although electricity is not sold directly to the consumer, the underlying goal of all Corps hydroelectric projects is to provide power to consumers at the lowest possible rates. Rates are set by the marketing agency and approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Revenue from Corps power plants is returned to the U.S. Treasury.

Courtesy US Corp of Engineers

The flat battleship gray facade of the Galley Restaurant doesn’t prepare you for the appealing ambiance that awaits within. Step across the threshold onto the ochre hued Mediterranean floor of the foyer, the walls hung with stunning Audubon prints, and you are in another dimension. The friendly hostess greets you and invites you into a spacious high ceiled room featuring an imposing carved oak bar, its granite top set for informal dining as are several small tables. But it is the view from the west wall of large windows that captures your attention. Beyond a stone terrace surrounding a fountain pool is Lake Hartwell, shimmering in the late afternoon sun. The beauty of the scene will hold your attention until your hostess reminds you that your table in the main dining room is ready, and you remember that you’ve come to The Galley for more than the view. The food is also worth the trip, but that was not always the case.

In 1984, David Freeman took a big gamble to fulfill a dream and bought the lots, some docks, and a couple of nondescript buildings that had been constructed by the Corps of Engineers when Portman Marina was under development. Freeman improved the docks, now numbering 17, then turned his attention to the snack bar in the larger of the two buildings. He describes it as “an ordinary little stand for boaters to grab a quick breakfast or lunch and maybe some snacks for their boats…nothing more.” Freeman expanded the snack bar, added tables and chairs, and began to serve Breakfast and lunches worth attention. His initial success evolved into the popular dining establishment he oversees today. Beside the bar and grill rooms and the large dining room, The Galley has two private banquet/party rooms, one downstairs, the other upstairs that is a popular site for wedding parties as the room overlooks the lake and is connected via an outside stairway to the terrace, the dockside gardens, and the gazebo, a romantic setting for wedding ceremonies. Freeman speaks enthusiastically as he describes the transformation of the 2,000 square foot snack bar into the gracious 12,000 square foot restaurant and catering business that today attracts patrons from four counties in the South Carolina upstate and from parts of Georgia.

The Galley menu reflects Freeman’s restaurant philosophy “to use nothing but high quality ingredients carefully prepared.” For him that means “the finest beef, chops, roasts, and seafood… and only the freshest seasonal vegetables and fruits, all prepared on the premises.” This includes many of the desserts as well, most notably the Crème Brûlée. The entrees are served with freshly baked bread; salad; vegetable; and stone-ground grits, rice, french-fried potatoes or onion rings. Among the most popular entrees are the slow roasted prime rib, herb crusted flame broiled rack of lamb, and flame roasted chicken, a selection Freeman retired from the menu once, but returned because he said, “My regular customers insisted!” Other favorites include hand-battered fried gulf shrimp (and it really is hand-battered with a mixture of soft bread crumbs and parmesan made fresh daily), blackened or grilled fillet of salmon, and flounder stuffed with crab meat.

Of course you have a choice of appetizers, including the local favorite fried dill pickles with ranch dressing. You’ll always find on the menu French onion soup, made on site, and a soup of the day, determined by what’s seasonally fresh. Greek and mixed green salads are staples, but for a special treat, enjoy the poached pear salad, developed by Freeman and his staff: fresh field greens tossed in an orange vinaigrette and topped with walnuts, a generous slice of blue cheese, and wedges of wine poached pears–a delight for the eye and the palette.

The surprise on the menu is listing of appealing offerings called Small Dishes From Our Hearth Oven. The special dishes are the brainchild of David Freeman and chef Jason Parish. Their inspiration is the large Wood Stone hearth oven made in Bellingham, in Washington mastering the use of this open flame oven and another seven months with chef Parish developing recipes to take advantage of the oven’s unique features. So popular are the hearth dishes that a wing off the bar area is devoted to hearth oven cooking. You can even sit at the granite topped hearth bar to watch chef Parish prepare your small dishes and serve them to you may be so intrigued by the small dish menu that you’ll order several and share them with companions, or, if you have a small appetite, find that one small meal and a salad are just right. Particularly delicious are the roasted duck breast with Grand Marnier cranberry glaze served on a polenta cake, hearth oven quail with sautéed cabbage, roasted pork tenderloin served with jasmine rice and black bean salsa, and mushroom crusted lamb chops with cabernet demi-glaze and roasted new potatoes. By the way, chef Parish hydrates fresh mushrooms and then prepares them into a crust. Delicious. You may want to enhance such fine dining with wine. Freeman has made the selection a pleasure. Each wine, personally selected by him and regularly updated after trips to the vineyards in Napa and Sonoma, California, has a page in the small but choice carte du vins. The label of each bottle is reproduced, a line or two of description below that and then the price, most of which, domestic or imported, are affordable. Of course, for a very special occasion, Dom Perignon is available.

After dessert, if you’ve left room for one of those house-made specialties, and coffee, served hot with refills at the ready, you may chose to walk out onto the terrace, catch the evening breeze off the lake, and enjoy the fragrance of herbs recently planted in the large terra cotta pots. Walk along the waterside, savoring the cool of the evening, the gentle lapping of the water along the lake front, and perhaps be reminded of writer Virginia Wolf’s observation that “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” You will dine well at The Galley.  Reservations are recommended. 864-287-3215.

Courtesy Upstate Lake Living