Lake Keowee was created with the construction of the Keowee Dam for the purpose of creating hydroelectric power. This lake has been touted as a great recreational spot for fishing, swimming, and boating. The name Keowee is a Cherokee name that translates roughly as "place of the mullberries." This is a decent fishing lake too, with largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass as well as crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, catfish, brown trout and rainbow trout.