Municipal Reservoir #1
Created in 1926 with the construction of a dam and our R.B. Simms Drinking Water Treatment Facility, Municipal Reservoir #1 is Spartanburg Water's primary drinking water reservoir. The reservoir acts as the final line of natural filtration for settling and sedimentation before the raw water reaches the R.B. Simms Drinking Water Treatment Facility.
This natural environment and protected buffer on Spartanburg Water System property up to the 780’ Mean Sea Level Contour Line around the reservoir helps Spartanburg Water System continue to fulfill our mission of delivering quality water in a reliable manner. Preventing runoff pollution means less chemicals are used in the drinking water treatment process. This is important both for the customers we serve and the economic vitality of the region.
Municipal Reservoir #1 is closed for boating and recreation. Lake Bowen and Lake Blalock are available for boating and recreation.
Land Permits
Information on obtaining permits for structures and improvements adjoining Lake Bowen and Lake Blalock.
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Permits for Lake Bowen and Lake Blalock
Spartanburg Water System (SWS) has developed a watershed approach to managing the environmental assets surroundings its reservoirs. The buffer area up to the 827’ Mean Sea Level (MSL) Contour Line for Lake Bowen and the 720’ Mean Sea Level (MSL) Contour Line for Lake Blalock is owned and maintained by Spartanburg Water System.
In order to better protect and enhance the water quality in the reservoirs, to maintain and minimize disturbance of the important buffer zone owned by SWS around the reservoirs, and to provide safe recreation for all users of both lakes – SWS requires adjoining property owners to go through a permitting process for the addition of any structures, improvements or modification of natural vegetation in this buffer area, unless specifically exempted. This standard permitting procedure is required each time a project or modification to an existing project is requested by the adjoining property owner.
Those structures, improvements and vegetation modifications that are allowed for permitting can be found in the separate policies and procedures documents that provide guidance for adjoining property owners of Lake Bowen and Lake Blalock reservoirs.
Permits issued for the applied-for project or improvement will remain valid as long as the permittee remains the current addressee and does not violate any policies and procedures outlined in either policies and procedures document.
Lake Bowen Policies and Procedures
Lake Blalock Policies and Procedures -
Permits for Municipal Reservoir #1
As the final line of natural filtration for settling and sedimentation before the raw water reaches our R.B. Simms Drinking Water Treatment Facility, SWS is committed to maintaining the natural condition of Municipal Reservoir #1 with a natural and vegetative buffer.
Consequently, no surface recreation of any kind is allowed – including swimming and any forms of watercraft. SWS does not allow new private structures or other forms of improvements such as sitting areas. With a valid SWS permit, adjacent property owners may install a single, stationary dock extending from SWS Property below the 780’ Mean Sea Level Contour Line at Municipal Reservoir #1.
Municipal Reservoir #1 Policies and Procedures
- Land Permit Application
- Land Permit Pricing - Effective 9/1/2021
Municipal Reservoir #1
Policies & Guidelines
We have adopted specific policies and procedures that govern all activities on Municipal Reservoir #1 or on SWS property surrounding the reservoir.
If you would like to download the pdf, please click here.
