Want the opportunity to observe an American Bald Eagle or maybe a Red Shouldered Hawk?  Of course, to accomplish this feat you will need to trek deep into a wilderness area.  Well, Lake Richard B. Russell has everything you need for carrying out this mission.  

Completed in 1984 and named for the late United States senator from Georgia, the Lake Russell area has rapidly become one of Georgia's and South Carolina's most popular fishing and hunting destinations.  With the opening of Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course this past summer, Lake Russell will also be home to arguably the most scenic and difficult courses in Georgia. And not to be forgotten, the Cateechee Golf Club is rated as one top public courses in the country for both its beauty and classic Scottish architecture.

Lake Russell is one of the few lakes in the South that remain undeveloped.  With the exception of several landings, Beaverdam Marina, and Richard B. Russell State Park, the scenery consists of little more than the trees that border the lake.

The Richard B. Russell State Park, home of the 1996 Olympic Rowing Training Center, is one of area's most popular parks.  Currently, the park offers cabins and campgrounds for spending the night and swimming, boating, fishing, rowing, canoeing/pedal boating, disc golfing, water skiing, beach volleyball, hiking and bicycling facilities (6 miles of trails) for fun during the day.

This beautiful wilderness area is aggressively managed to protect against development of any kind.  Many restrictions to property owner keep the shoreline uncluttered.  You won't find houses, boat docks, stores or anything else here. 

For fisherman, Russell provides a wealth of habitat for all kinds of fish.  Largemouth bass fishing in Russell is especially good. Bass  tournaments are held through out the year on Russell.  When the lake was constructed, many areas of uncut timber were left in place and marked for fisherman and for boaters.

	Major Highway Access:	81, 184, 72
	Project Management:	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
	Dam Completion:	1984
	Full Pool Elevation:	475 Feet Above MSL
	Lake Size:	26,250 Acres
	Shoreline:	540 Miles
	Dam Height:	195 Feet
	Dam Length:	1,884 Feet
	Turbine Generators:	8
	Maximum Depth:	147 Feet (SCDHEC)
	Mean Depth:	39.6 Feet (SCDHEC)