Dam It Traditional Cache

Lake Issaqueena is a man-made lake that was created in 1938. It is located in Pickens County in the Clemson Experimental Forest and is about 7 miles from Clemson University. This cache is at one entrance to the Lake Issaqueena Dam and Recreation Area. After finding this cache, head down the right fork to explore the area around the dam itself.

A dam is a barrier created to obstruct the flow of water and can have a variety of functions. Dams can generate electricity, provide water, and help control flooding. While dams have many benefits, they also can be detrimental to the environment. Dams block rivers and thus prevent fish from migrating. They also slow down the flow of a river which can negatively affect native species. Dams cause sediment buildup in unusual places, and bury habitats that would otherwise be undisturbed. Lastly, they affect water quality by causing unnatural temperature variations. This can lead to algal blooms and lower oxygen levels.

The Issaqueena Dam impounds Six Mile Creek, and is about one third of a mile above its convergence with the Keowee River. The Issaqueena Dam is made of concrete and is categorized as a gravity dam. Gravity dams are designed to restrict water primarily by using the weight of the material the dam is made of to resist the pressure of water pushing against it. The lake has experienced a 26-acre decrease in surface area due to sediment buildup since its creation.