It's about time to renew your boat permits! “Press Pause”: What's Next?

VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 1

QUESTIONS: (864) 592-2240

spartanburgwater.org/healthylakes

USE HASHTAG: #healthylakes

Be sure to keep an eye out in the mail.

The week of March 16, letters will be sent

to owners who previously permitted a boat

or watercraft. Review the form and make

any necessary corrections. Then send

back the signed letter, along with a check

or money order for the permit fee.

You can also renew your permit in person.

Starting April 2, the Lake Bowen and Lake

Blalock Wardens’ Ofﬁces will be open

from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday

Our staff is currently reviewing each “Press Pause” request submitted before the December 1 deadline, and personally reaching out to

each of the 681 Lake Bowen residents who signed up during the 14-month window.

As you can imagine, this process takes time, but our staff hopes to have all inspections and proper permitting completed by spring!

We again want to thank everyone who took advantage of this opportunity and enrolled in the “Press Pause” program. We appreciate you

working with us to reach a resolution that allows you to ensure all required permits and authorizations are current for improvements on

Spartanburg Water System property, while helping us care for our drinking water reservoirs.

It’s about time to renew your boat permits!

THAT TIME OF YEAR IS ALMOST HERE AGAIN! YOU’RE PROBABLY DREAMING OF WARMER, SUNNIER DAYS

AHEAD — BUT BEFORE YOU GEAR UP FOR BOATING SEASON, YOU’LL HAVE TO RENEW YOUR PERMIT.

“Press Pause”: What’s Next?

NOW THAT THE DECEMBER 1, 2019, “PRESS PAUSE” DEADLINE IS OVER, MANY OF YOU MAY BE

WONDERING WHAT HAPPENS NOW. OUR LAKE WARDENS AND WATERSHED SPECIALISTS ARE HARD AT

WORK INVENTORYING LOTS AND PREPARING PACKETS FOR PARTICIPANTS.

DON’T FORGET…

You not only need a boat permit

from Spartanburg Water; you

also need a state permit from

SCDNR. As of this year, SCDNR

announced a change to the

boat registration process.

Rather than renewing your

permit every three years, as of

2020 boat owners are required

to renew their registration

annually. The cost of the new

registration is $10, a third of the

current three-year fee of $30.

For more information,

please visit www.dnr.sc.gov/

boating/2020Registration

RenewalChanges.

through Sunday, to accommodate permit

sales.

Permits can be bought for seasonal

or daily use — and are fee-based

on horsepower and residence. A full

breakdown of pricing is available at www.

spartanburgwater.org.

Spartanburg Water’s ofﬁcial start to

boating season begins each year on

April 1. Your permit is good from April 1,

2020, through March 31, 2021.

Meet the Team

AS WE KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR, SPARTANBURG WATER IS WELCOMING SOME NEW MEMBERS TO OUR LAKE

WARDEN AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT TEAMS. THESE MEN AND WOMEN WORK HARD TO KEEP YOU AND

YOUR LOVED ONES SAFE ON THE WATER. WE SAT DOWN WITH EACH OF THEM SO YOU CAN GET TO KNOW

THE FRIENDLY FACES AT THE LAKE A LITTLE BETTER.

JON MORGAN

Watershed Coordinator/

Chief Lake Warden

Jon Morgan graduated from Clemson University

in December 1998 with a Bachelor’s Degree

in Aquaculture Fisheries and Wildlife Biology.

He worked as a Professional Hunting Guide

in Jackson, Wyoming, and a Park Ranger at Croft State Park, before

becoming a Lake Warden with Spartanburg Water in 2003.

In 2017, Jon was named Watershed Management Coordinator and in 2018,

took on the additional responsibilities and duties of Chief Lake Warden.

ADAM COYLE

Lake Warden

Adam Coyle received a Bachelor’s Degree in

Criminology from Coker University in Hartsville,

S.C. After moving to Spartanburg in 2017,

Adam began his law enforcement career with

the South Carolina Highway Patrol. His Patrol

areas included Cherokee and Union Counties.

Adam left the Highway Patrol in late 2019 to begin his career at

Spartanburg Water. He says he’s excited for this new journey, and feels at

home with Spartanburg Water.

Coyle and his wife, who’s a high school teacher, have a dog. Adam loves

animals, music, and the outdoors.

CHRIS HORRELL

Lake Warden

Chris Horrell joined the Spartanburg Water team

as a Lake Warden in early 2018. Born and raised

in neighboring Greenville County, his love of the

outdoors began with Boy Scouts, rising to the

rank of Eagle Scout.

Chris started his law enforcement career with the Greenville County

Sheriff’s Ofﬁce in 2004, where he worked in Uniform Patrol for 11 years,

was an investigator in CID, became a Master Deputy and was responsible

for training 50 new deputies. Chris was awarded letters of commendation,

two Distinguished Service medals, and a Medal of Valor. Horrell was

also an operator on the SWAT team for many years and has a long list of

training and certiﬁcations — most of which focus on emergency response,

WMD, and anti-terrorism training.

Chris’ appreciation for the outdoors is what brought him to Spartanburg Water.

JAKE LANCASTER

Lake Warden

Jake Lancaster is a Travelers Rest native.

He attended Blue Ridge High School,

where he played football and baseball,

before moving to Charleston to attend

The Citadel Military Academy. At The

Citadel, he had the honor of working as his battalion’s Executive

Officer.

After graduation with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Jake

began his career as a deputy with the Greenville County Sheriff’s

Ofﬁce from 2016 – 2019. He was also named “Rookie of the Year”

during his second year there.

In May 2019, Jake joined the Spartanburg Water team as a Lake

Warden. He says he’s loved learning more about the watershed in

Spartanburg, as well as spending time outdoors on Lake Bowen and

Lake Blalock.

Lancaster married his wife, Carly, in December 2018. The two

are members of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church in Greer and enjoy

traveling. Also in his free time, Jake enjoys golﬁng and hitting the

gym at Orange Theory.

JONATHAN PARRIS

Lake Warden

Jonathan Parris (J.T.), was born and

raised in Spartanburg County. He is a

husband to his wife Caroline and father

to son Rhett.

After high school, J.T. joined the

United States Marine Corps, where he was part of an anti-

terrorism unit, before being selected to join the Marine Corps

Special Operations Command. While deployed with Special

Operations, J.T. was utilized as a multi-purpose K9 handler.

His main assignment was to clear roadways and houses along

patrol routes, looking for explosives. Parris completed multiple

deployments, which included time in Afghanistan.

After his time in the Marine Corps, J.T. moved back to the

Upstate and began working for the Greenville County Sheriff’s

Office. He was assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division and was

quickly promoted to the rank of Master Deputy.

In 2018, J.T. began his career as a Lake Warden with the

Spartanburg Water team.

New Safety Feature

at Public Landings

NEXT TIME YOU HIT THE WATER, YOU MAY

NOTICE SOME ADDITIONS TO THE DOCKS

AT OUR PUBLIC LANDINGS ON LAKE BOWEN

AND LAKE BLALOCK.

These marine boarding rails are designed to keep you safe —

which is always our top priority — and to provide access for

those with mobility concerns.

Dock Boss safety handrails improve balance and provide

steady support. They are designed to not only reduce the risk

of slips and spills, they also minimize the strain on your back

and knees as you get in and out of the boat.

We’re excited about this added feature, which is great for the

elderly, pregnant, disabled, small children, or anyone else

who could just use a helping hand!

JAMES WEST

Watershed Specialist

James West was born in Spartanburg,

graduated from Spartanburg High, and

completed his Bachelor’s Degree in

Biology at USC Spartanburg in 1991.

For 10 years he worked for the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency in the pesticides section of the

Atlanta Ofﬁce. From 2001 to 2017, West worked for the South

Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control in

Laurens, Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union Counties. His work

encompassed several areas — including septic systems, general

sanitation, rabies, construction and industrial storm water, bulk

petroleum tanks, mining, dam safety, and emergency response

programs.

West has worked for Spartanburg Water in the Lake Blalock ofﬁce

since November 2017. As a Watershed Specialist, he addresses

trees and vegetation, shoreline stabilization, docks, paths, boat

lifts, irrigation, and sonar mapping issues.

West is married to his wife of 27 years and has two sons.

MEAGAN ROY

Watershed Specialist

Meagan Roy grew up in Spartanburg

County, where she attended school in

District 5. She graduated from Auburn

University in 2015 with a Bachelor’s

Degree in Wildlife Ecology and

Management, and went on to complete her Master’s Degree in

Fisheries at Auburn in 2017.

Roy has worked on projects throughout Florida, Alabama, and

Tennessee, researching stream ecology and watershed/wetland

health.

She started her career with Spartanburg Water in fall of 2017. Roy

is currently one of the Watershed Specialists for Lake Bowen, where

she handles land permitting for lake residents and addresses issues

concerning water quality and shoreline erosion.

MELISSA ALLEY

Support Administrator

Melissa Alley was born in North Carolina,

but grew up living all over the world as a

Navy brat. She’s been married for 21 years

and has a daughter, who is currently a

junior at Gardner Webb University.

Melissa worked at Crawley Memorial Hospital for 20 years, before

coming to Spartanburg Water. She is currently working to obtain an

Associate’s Degree in Ofﬁce Administration.

DID YOU KNOW? …

Our Lake Wardens and Watershed Specialists work

together as a team, but they hold different job

responsibilities. The specialists oversee all the permitting

around the reservoirs, water sampling, and watershed-

related issues. The wardens are Class 1 certiﬁed law

enforcement ofﬁcers, and handle all law enforcement

and security needs, watershed inspections, reservoir

patrols, boat permitting, and park management.

With the new Lake Bowen Policies and Procedures

document taking effect on October 31, 2019,

permits can now be transferred along with the

transfer of property. Existing authorizations

(permits/licenses) are transferrable to new

Contiguous Landowners 1) if the previous holder

was in compliance with the permit requirements

immediately prior to transferring the property, 2)

and the application for transfer is received with

all necessary fees paid 3) within 90 days of the

transfer of ownership.

Please be sure to alert your realtor of this opportunity

prior to the sale of your home. For more information

and permit questions, please contact the Lake Bowen

Wardens’ Ofﬁce at 864-592-2240.

Selling Your Home?

TRANSFER OF PERMITS FOR LAKE BOWEN.

Lakes.

News and information

brought to you by Spartanburg Water.

Watch for

Watercraft

Permit Renewals

in Your Mailbox.

Watercraft permit renewals will

be arriving soon for boats and

Personal Water Craft (PWC)

permitted in 2019. All watercraft

are required to be permitted each

year and the fee structure, based

on horsepower, is available on our

website – spartanburgwater.org.

To purchase a watercraft permit

for the rst time, please call the

Lake Bowen Wardens’ Ofce at

(864) 592-2240 for instructions

on what items and documentation

you need to purchase a

watercraft permit.

Welcome to

the Watershed Staﬀ:

PAUL GLOVER,

Watershed Management Specialist

Paul Glover has been a Spartanburg County

resident for the past eighteen years,

moving to Spartanburg when his father became the pastor of a local

Baptist church. He graduated from Boiling Springs High School, and from

Lander University cum laude and Golden L Honors in Biology with a genetics

emphasis. Paul’s senior seminar project of the TRC8 gene mutation was

selected as the winner of the Student Academic Showcase, and he was elected

Vice President of the Tri-Beta Biological Honors Society and the Chess Club.

Paul previously worked for the Greenwood Genetics Center as a lab analyst

to detect and conduct research on hereditary genetic disorders. He joined

Spartanburg Water in 2016, where he served in various laboratory roles,

and has now recently joined the Watershed management staff at Lake Bowen.

We are happy to have Paul as a member of the Spartanburg Water

Watershed management team!

Healthy

QUESTIONS: (864) 592-2240

spartanburgwater.org/healthylakes

USE HASHTAG: #healthylakes

Monday, March 16, marks the beginning of the busy boating season at Lakes Bowen and Blalock.

Wardens’ Oﬃces

move to extended hours March 16.

LAKE BLALOCK

Wardens’ Ofce

open Monday-Sunday

8 a.m.-6 p.m.

LAKE BOWEN

Wardens’ Ofce

open Monday-Sunday

8 a.m.-6 p.m.

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2

2020 watercraft permit sticker?

Notice

Anything Diﬀerent?

Recreational boating permit stickers must be applied in the proper

location on the watercraft in order to be a valid permit.

Please attach your permit sticker to the left topside (portside) of

the watercraft adjacent to the end of the state registration

number on conventional watercraft, sailboats and

Personal Water Craft (PWCs).

For paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, pedal

boats and other non-powered watercraft, the

permit sticker must be applied to the left topside (portside)

front of the vessel.

Valid permit stickers are required on both

Lake Bowen and Lake Blalock before

enjoying the lakes.

We have a new format for our Healthy

Lakes newsletter: a shorter, more

concise version delivered to your mailbox

quarterly. This format allows us to

deliver the best information about what’s

happening around our three reservoirs:

Bowen, Blalock and Reservoir #1.

Where do I place my

Important Dates

- APRIL 18

- APRIL 25

- MAY 16

- MAY 23

Paddle Fest

Educational

Paddle Tours

Lake Bowen

and Lake Blalock:

SATURDAY, MAY 30

9 a.m.-12 p.m., Blalock

SATURDAY, JUNE 27

9 a.m.-12 p.m., Blalock

SATURDAY, JULY 25

9 a.m. -12 p.m., Bowen

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11

6-8 p.m. Bowen

All classes are FREE, but

registration is required online

at spartanburgwater.org,

or by calling (864) 592-2240.

Free SCDNR Boater

Education classes

Saturdays

8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Lake Blalock

Wardens’ OFFICE:

IMPORTANT BOATING PERMIT REMINDER

Recreational boating permit stickers must be applied in the

proper location on the watercraft in order to be a valid

permit.

Please attach your permit sticker to the left side of the

watercraft adjacent to the end of the state registration

number on conventional watercraft, sailboats and personal

watercraft (PWC, ex. Jet Skis).

For paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and other

non-powered watercraft, the permit sticker must be applied

to the left topside front of the vessel.

Valid permit stickers are required on both Lake Bowen and

Lake Blalock before enjoying the lakes.

SC 9393 BS

spartanburgwater.org

IMPORTANT BOATING PERMIT REMINDER

Recreational boating permit stickers must be applied in

the proper location on the watercraft in order to be a valid

permit.

If the permit sticker is not applied to the watercraft, or if the

permit sticker is applied in the wrong location, you are not

permitted to access the lake with that watercraft.

Please attach your permit sticker to the left side of the

watercraft adjacent to the end of the state registration

number on conventional watercraft, sailboats and personal

watercraft (PWC, ex. Jet Skis).

For paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and other

non-powered watercraft, the permit sticker must be applied

to the left topside front of the vessel.

If your watercraft does not have a valid permit sticker on

entering either Lake Bowen or Lake Blalock, you may be

asked to remove your watercraft from the lake.

SC 9393 BS

spartanburgwater.org

IMPORTANT BOATING PERMIT REMINDER

Recreational boating permit stickers must be applied in

the proper location on the watercraft in order to be a valid

permit.

If the permit sticker is not applied to the watercraft, or if the

permit sticker is applied in the wrong location, you are not

permitted to access the lake with that watercraft.

Please attach your permit sticker to the left side of the

watercraft adjacent to the end of the state registration

number on conventional watercraft, sailboats and personal

watercraft (PWC, ex. Jet Skis).

For paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and other

non-powered watercraft, the permit sticker must be applied

to the left topside front of the vessel.

If your watercraft does not have a valid permit sticker on

entering either Lake Bowen or Lake Blalock, you may be

asked to remove your watercraft from the lake.

SC 9393 BS

spartanburgwater.org

IMPORTANT BOATING PERMIT REMINDER

Recreational boating permit stickers must be applied in

the proper location on the watercraft in order to be a valid

permit.

If the permit sticker is not applied to the watercraft, or if the

permit sticker is applied in the wrong location, you are not

permitted to access the lake with that watercraft.

Please attach your permit sticker to the left side of the

watercraft adjacent to the end of the state registration

number on conventional watercraft, sailboats and personal

watercraft (PWC, ex. Jet Skis).

For paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and other

non-powered watercraft, the permit sticker must be applied

to the left topside front of the vessel.

If your watercraft does not have a valid permit sticker on

entering either Lake Bowen or Lake Blalock, you may be

asked to remove your watercraft from the lake.

SC 9393 BS

spartanburgwater.org

IMPORTANT BOATING PERMIT REMINDER

Recreational boating permit stickers must be applied in

the proper location on the watercraft in order to be a valid

permit.

If the permit sticker is not applied to the watercraft, or if the

permit sticker is applied in the wrong location, you are not

permitted to access the lake with that watercraft.

Please attach your permit sticker to the left side of the

watercraft adjacent to the end of the state registration

number on conventional watercraft, sailboats and personal

watercraft (PWC, ex. Jet Skis).

For paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and other

non-powered watercraft, the permit sticker must be applied

to the left topside front of the vessel.

If your watercraft does not have a valid permit sticker on

entering either Lake Bowen or Lake Blalock, you may be

asked to remove your watercraft from the lake.

SC 9393 BS

spartanburgwater.org

IMPORTANT BOATING PERMIT REMINDER

Recreational boating permit stickers must be applied in

the proper location on the watercraft in order to be a valid

permit.

If the permit sticker is not applied to the watercraft, or if the

permit sticker is applied in the wrong location, you are not

permitted to access the lake with that watercraft.

Please attach your permit sticker to the left side of the

watercraft adjacent to the end of the state registration

number on conventional watercraft, sailboats and personal

watercraft (PWC, ex. Jet Skis).

For paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and other

non-powered watercraft, the permit sticker must be applied

to the left topside front of the vessel.

If your watercraft does not have a valid permit sticker on

entering either Lake Bowen or Lake Blalock, you may be

asked to remove your watercraft from the lake.

SC 9393 BS

spartanburgwater.org

IMPORTANT BOATING PERMIT REMINDER

Recreational boating permit stickers must be applied in

the proper location on the watercraft in order to be a valid

permit.

If the permit sticker is not applied to the watercraft, or if the

permit sticker is applied in the wrong location, you are not

permitted to access the lake with that watercraft.

Please attach your permit sticker to the left side of the

watercraft adjacent to the end of the state registration

number on conventional watercraft, sailboats and personal

watercraft (PWC, ex. Jet Skis).

For paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and other

non-powered watercraft, the permit sticker must be applied

to the left topside front of the vessel.

If your watercraft does not have a valid permit sticker on

entering either Lake Bowen or Lake Blalock, you may be

asked to remove your watercraft from the lake.

SC 9393 BS

spartanburgwater.org

IMPORTANT BOATING PERMIT REMINDER

Recreational boating permit stickers must be applied in

the proper location on the watercraft in order to be a valid

permit.

If the permit sticker is not applied to the watercraft, or if the

permit sticker is applied in the wrong location, you are not

permitted to access the lake with that watercraft.

Please attach your permit sticker to the left side of the

watercraft adjacent to the end of the state registration

number on conventional watercraft, sailboats and personal

watercraft (PWC, ex. Jet Skis).

For paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and other

non-powered watercraft, the permit sticker must be applied

to the left topside front of the vessel.

If your watercraft does not have a valid permit sticker on

entering either Lake Bowen or Lake Blalock, you may be

asked to remove your watercraft from the lake.

SC 9393 BS

spartanburgwater.org

IMPORTANT BOATING PERMIT REMINDER

Recreational boating permit stickers must be applied in the

proper location on the watercraft in order to be a valid

permit.

Please attach your permit sticker to the left side of the

watercraft adjacent to the end of the state registration

number on conventional watercraft, sailboats and personal

watercraft (PWC, ex. Jet Skis).

For paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and other

non-powered watercraft, the permit sticker must be applied

to the left topside front of the vessel.

Valid permit stickers are required on both Lake Bowen and

Lake Blalock before enjoying the lakes.

SC 9393 BS

spartanburgwater.org

IMPORTANT BOATING PERMIT REMINDER

Recreational boating permit stickers must be applied in

the proper location on the watercraft in order to be a valid

permit.

If the permit sticker is not applied to the watercraft, or if the

permit sticker is applied in the wrong location, you are not

permitted to access the lake with that watercraft.

Please attach your permit sticker to the left side of the

watercraft adjacent to the end of the state registration

number on conventional watercraft, sailboats and personal

watercraft (PWC, ex. Jet Skis).

For paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and other

non-powered watercraft, the permit sticker must be applied

to the left topside front of the vessel.

If your watercraft does not have a valid permit sticker on

entering either Lake Bowen or Lake Blalock, you may be

asked to remove your watercraft from the lake.

SC 9393 BS

spartanburgwater.org

IMPORTANT BOATING PERMIT REMINDER

Recreational boating permit stickers must be applied in

the proper location on the watercraft in order to be a valid

permit.

If the permit sticker is not applied to the watercraft, or if the

permit sticker is applied in the wrong location, you are not

permitted to access the lake with that watercraft.

Please attach your permit sticker to the left side of the

watercraft adjacent to the end of the state registration

number on conventional watercraft, sailboats and personal

watercraft (PWC, ex. Jet Skis).

For paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and other

non-powered watercraft, the permit sticker must be applied

to the left topside front of the vessel.

If your watercraft does not have a valid permit sticker on

entering either Lake Bowen or Lake Blalock, you may be

asked to remove your watercraft from the lake.

SC 9393 BS

spartanburgwater.org

IMPORTANT BOATING PERMIT REMINDER

Recreational boating permit stickers must be applied in

the proper location on the watercraft in order to be a valid

permit.

If the permit sticker is not applied to the watercraft, or if the

permit sticker is applied in the wrong location, you are not

permitted to access the lake with that watercraft.

Please attach your permit sticker to the left side of the

watercraft adjacent to the end of the state registration

number on conventional watercraft, sailboats and personal

watercraft (PWC, ex. Jet Skis).

For paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and other

non-powered watercraft, the permit sticker must be applied

to the left topside front of the vessel.

If your watercraft does not have a valid permit sticker on

entering either Lake Bowen or Lake Blalock, you may be

asked to remove your watercraft from the lake.

SC 9393 BS

spartanburgwater.org

IMPORTANT BOATING PERMIT REMINDER

Recreational boating permit stickers must be applied in

the proper location on the watercraft in order to be a valid

permit.

If the permit sticker is not applied to the watercraft, or if the

permit sticker is applied in the wrong location, you are not

permitted to access the lake with that watercraft.

Please attach your permit sticker to the left side of the

watercraft adjacent to the end of the state registration

number on conventional watercraft, sailboats and personal

watercraft (PWC, ex. Jet Skis).

For paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and other

non-powered watercraft, the permit sticker must be applied

to the left topside front of the vessel.

If your watercraft does not have a valid permit sticker on

entering either Lake Bowen or Lake Blalock, you may be

asked to remove your watercraft from the lake.

SC 9393 BS

spartanburgwater.org

IMPORTANT BOATING PERMIT REMINDER

Recreational boating permit stickers must be applied in

the proper location on the watercraft in order to be a valid

permit.

If the permit sticker is not applied to the watercraft, or if the

permit sticker is applied in the wrong location, you are not

permitted to access the lake with that watercraft.

Please attach your permit sticker to the left side of the

watercraft adjacent to the end of the state registration

number on conventional watercraft, sailboats and personal

watercraft (PWC, ex. Jet Skis).

For paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and other

non-powered watercraft, the permit sticker must be applied

to the left topside front of the vessel.

If your watercraft does not have a valid permit sticker on

entering either Lake Bowen or Lake Blalock, you may be

asked to remove your watercraft from the lake.

SC 9393 BS

spartanburgwater.org

IMPORTANT BOATING PERMIT REMINDER

Recreational boating permit stickers must be applied in

the proper location on the watercraft in order to be a valid

permit.

If the permit sticker is not applied to the watercraft, or if the

permit sticker is applied in the wrong location, you are not

permitted to access the lake with that watercraft.

Please attach your permit sticker to the left side of the

watercraft adjacent to the end of the state registration

number on conventional watercraft, sailboats and personal

watercraft (PWC, ex. Jet Skis).

For paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and other

non-powered watercraft, the permit sticker must be applied

to the left topside front of the vessel.

If your watercraft does not have a valid permit sticker on

entering either Lake Bowen or Lake Blalock, you may be

asked to remove your watercraft from the lake.

SC 9393 BS

spartanburgwater.org

IMPORTANT BOATING PERMIT REMINDER

Recreational boating permit stickers must be applied in

the proper location on the watercraft in order to be a valid

permit.

If the permit sticker is not applied to the watercraft, or if the

permit sticker is applied in the wrong location, you are not

permitted to access the lake with that watercraft.

Please attach your permit sticker to the left side of the

watercraft adjacent to the end of the state registration

number on conventional watercraft, sailboats and personal

watercraft (PWC, ex. Jet Skis).

For paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and other

non-powered watercraft, the permit sticker must be applied

to the left topside front of the vessel.

If your watercraft does not have a valid permit sticker on

entering either Lake Bowen or Lake Blalock, you may be

asked to remove your watercraft from the lake.

SC 9393 BS

spartanburgwater.org

Even better than

a hard copy of our newsletter?

Make the move to digital and save

paper and postage by signing up to

have Healthy Lakes delivered to your

inbox. Go to our website and enroll

to make the switch:

https://www.spartanburgwater.org/Healthy-Lakes-newsletter

Have you ever had issues with

plants hitching a ride on your boat?

Aquatic plants like Bladderwort

can attach to boat motors,

affecting navigation and recreation.

In an effort to identify and map

areas in our reservoirs where

Bladderwort and other aquatic

plants are growing, Spartanburg

Water uses a variety of tools–

one of which is sonar technology.

Our boats equipped with the sonar technology make the rounds on

Lake Bowen, Lake Blalock and Municipal Reservoir #1 throughout the year,

and collect data that gives us insight into the exact location and density of

the underwater vegetation.

This data not only tells us the current state of vegetation in our reservoirs, it

helps provide the mapping information we need to help mitigate it. In partnership

with SCDNR, we restock Sterile Triploid Grass Carp each year as an effective

biological tool to help control excess plant growth.

These vegetarian sh feed primarily on plants and algae, such as Bladderwort,

and do not consume other sh. As one of the approved methods used regularly

by SCDNR, the number of Triploid Grass Carp we stock each year is based on the

density and growth of underwater vegetation that we are seeing – information

that we gather with sonar technology.

On the ipside, Bladderwort isn’t all bad. In moderation, it can actually be

benecial. Bladderwort helps lter pollutants and is an indicator of good water

quality; however, there is such thing as too much of a good thing. So by using

effective technology we can ensure that we maintain the proper balance –

providing a safer place to recreate and better drinking water quality for all.

Lakes

News and information

brought to you by Spartanburg Water.

Reporting

Storm Water

Runoﬀ

Spartanburg Water is asking

for support to help identify areas

most affected by storm water

runoff and erosion. We would

like to pinpoint areas where

excess sediment and erosion

may be entering our drinking

water sources.

You can send pictures and

comments of trouble spots to:

healthylakes@spartanburgwater.org.

We thank those of you who

have already done so for

your submissions.

Together, we can care for the

reservoirs that supply drinking

water to our entire community

and ensure top-quality with

every turn of the faucet.

Sonar Tech to Tackle Nuisance Vegetation

Healthy

QUESTIONS: (864) 592-2240

spartanburgwater.org/healthylakes

USE HASHTAG: #healthylakes

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3

A friendly reminder for our neighbors…

Please be sure to alert your Realtor

of this opportunity prior to the sale

of your home:

In accordance with the Lake Bowen

Policies and Procedures, permits for

improvements/structures can now be

transferred along with the transfer of

a property. Existing authorizations

(permits/licenses) are transferrable 1)

if the previous holder was in compliance

with the permit requirements immedi-

ately prior to transferring the property,

2) and the application for transfer is

received with all necessary fees paid 3) within 90 days of the transfer

of ownership.

For more information and permit questions, please contact the

Lake Bowen Wardens’ Ofce at (864) 592-2240.

Are you short a life jacket?

Please don’t risk your safety!

Instead, access our life jacket loaner board.

Created in partnership with Spartanburg Regional Healthcare

System’s Safe Kids of the Piedmont, the life jacket loaner board at

Lake Bowen offers a variety of life vests and sizes if you’ve forgotten

one at home or have more passengers than you do life jackets.

Vests are available on a rst-come, rst-served basis, and are

disinfected after each use.

This loaner system was developed to keep everyone safe, and we encourage

you to use it – because nothing is more important to us than your safety!

Please be sure to visit

our website –

spartanburgwater.org –

for the latest information

on park ofces hours and

public access to recreational

areas.

To continue to reach our

Wardens and Watershed

Staff for questions and

assistance, please call:

Lake Bowen: (864) 592-2240

Lake Blalock: (864) 578-5442

NEWS/UPDATES

Even better than a hard copy of our newsletter?

Make the move to digital and save paper and postage

by signing up to have Healthy Lakes delivered to your

inbox. Go to our website and enroll to make the switch:

https://www.spartanburgwater.org/Healthy-Lakes-newsletter

You may begin to noce some changes taking place

around Lake Bowen Park. Spartanburg Water is

currently working on some important projects to help

provide a safer and more accessible experience for

visitors to the park and boat ramps,

as well as, provide much needed improvements to

reduce the impacts of stormwater run-o from the

park.

The projects planned fall into the following categories:

> SAFETY

- Enhanced trac ow around the park to beer

separate those vising the park for boang, and

those walking, picnicking, shing and enjoying the

playground. This includes the addion of parking

spaces around the upper loop of the park

for vehicles without boat trailers.

- Designaon of an exisng boat ramp in the upper

loop for non-motorized

watercra.

> IMPROVEMENTS

- Construcon of a dedicated parking area for vehicles with boat

trailers.

- Construcon of an addional boat ramp, and relocaon of an exisng

dock to locate all launching and retrieval of motorized watercra within a

centralized area.

> ENVIRONMENT

- Installaon of a curb-guer system and stormwater outlet

improvements to reduce the environmental impacts of stormwater

run-o.

- Landscaping improvements to enhance shoreline stabilizaon.

The project meline is seven months, but the park will remain open

throughout its compleon, and ever eort will be made to keep at least

one boat ramp open for use at all mes.

We thank you in advance for your paence and understanding as we

work to make the Lake Bowen Park and boat ramps even safer and

more enjoyable to relax, play and recreate – while making

important changes to protect the environment of our largest drinking

water reservoir.

For continued updates on the project progress, please call

our pre-recorded message line: (864) 580-2055, or visit our

website:

www.spartanburgwater.org/bowen-project-info

For questions or concerns, please contact our Chief Lake

Warden and Project Manager, Jon Morgan: (864) 580-2518.

Lakes

News and information

brought to you by Spartanburg Water.

Lake Bowen Park Improvement Project

Healthy

QUESTIONS: (864) 592-2240

spartanburgwater.org/healthylakes

USE HASHTAG: #healthylakes

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 4

Lake Blalock Policies

and Procedures

With maintaining the

highest water quality

standards in mind, the

Commission of Publics

Works for the City of

Spartanburg recently

adopted new Policies

and Procedures for

the use and access

to Lake Blalock

and SWS buer

property that

surrounds the

reservoir.

The Lake

Blalock Policies

and Procedures took eect

July 10, 2020, providing guidance to

property owners with land adjoining to Spartanburg Water

System’s property below the 720’ elevaon contour line. The new

Policies and Procedures take the place of the former Lake Blalock

Buer Management Plan.

The guidance provided by these Policies and Procedures not only

oers a number of benets to adjoining property owners – but

also to our nearly 200,000 customers.

The Policies and Procedures document is available for

you to view in an e-reader format and printable version:

https://www.spartanburgwater.org/Blalock-policies-guidance

Should you have any further quesons or need

addional guidance, please contact the

Lake Blalock Wardens’ Ofce at (864) 578-5442.

We thank you for doing your part to help keep our drinking water

reservoirs healthy!

1,350 miles of water line make

up the Spartanburg Water

system?

With the help of

some new technology,

Spartanburg Water is

now even more

prepared to idenfy algae growth in our drinking water

reservoirs, which – if le untreated – could otherwise lead to

taste-and-odor issues.

Our lab recently invested in a new instrument called the GC

Mass Spec, which gives our technicians the in-house capability

to test for byproducts of Blue-Green Algae – the kind that can

cause unpleasant aesthecs. Because the collecon and

processing of these water samples is me-sensive, in the past,

our lab had to contract services with an outside laboratory.

The GC Mass Spec is not the only tool in our algae-idencaon

toolkit. Since early spring, our Watershed Specialists have

implemented the use of a PAR, or Photosynthec Acve

Radiaon device. This instrument accurately measures the

depth where sunlight is fueling the greatest algae growth – and

helps to more eciently target algaecide applicaons.

Our Watershed Specialists comb Lake Bowen and Municipal

Reservoir #1 weekly, dropping the PAR into the water to pinpoint

where photosynthesis is taking place. By doing so, it gives us a

beer idea of what’s occurring in the water column in order to

determine the best me and places to treat algae. By allowing

us to address algae growth in its early stages – prevenng it from

reaching its peak – the PAR helps us more strategically plan for

treatment.

Our goal at Spartanburg Water is to provide our customers with

drinking water of the highest quality and standards, and we are

condent these newly-implemented technological advances

will allow for connued success by helping us idenfy, and in

turn manage, algae growth in our reservoirs.

Taking

Aim

Against

Algae

Did

you know . . .