Keowee

Keowee is a name with historical and geographical significance, primarily associated with the Cherokee people and the region in present-day South Carolina.

Historically, Keowee refers to a significant Cherokee town that existed prior to European colonization. It was located along the Keowee River in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The town served as an important center for trade and diplomacy between the Cherokee and, later, European settlers. The name "Keowee" is believed to derive from a Cherokee word, although its exact meaning is debated, often linked to ideas of mulberry trees or a place of refuge.

The name "Keowee" is also used to designate the Keowee River, which flows through the same region. The river was dammed in the 1960s by Duke Power to create Lake Keowee.

Lake Keowee is a reservoir located in the Upstate region of South Carolina. Created by the Little River, Keowee, and Seneca Rivers, the lake is primarily used for hydroelectric power generation by the Oconee Nuclear Station, as well as for recreation. The lake has become a popular destination for boating, fishing, and lakeside living.

The term "Keowee" is thus intertwined with the history of the Cherokee people, the natural landscape of South Carolina, and the state's energy infrastructure.