Lake Bowen – Spartanburg County

Spartanburg Water System owns and operates this 1,534 acre reservoir to provide water to the residents of Spartanburg County.  This is a well managed lake that is open to the public.

About Lake Bowen

Lake Bowen is one of three lakes owned and operated by the Spartanburg Water System.  It is located near the city of New Prospect South Carolina.  Lake Bowen is a 1,534 acre reservoir that impounds the South Pacelot River. Its primary purpose is to supply water to Spartanburg County residents.  Park is located near SC Highway 9 that includes picnic areas, a fishing pier, and boat ramps.  

Before visiting this lake be sure to check all the regulations and fees associated with this lake. Some of the boating fees are provided below.  However, there are many other rules listed on the Spartanburg Water System official Lake Bowen Page.     

Lake Bowen fishing & boating guide

Lake William C. Bowen — Lake Bowen for short — is the big one among Spartanburg County’s water-district lakes: 1,534 acres with about 33 miles of shoreline, set in the rolling country roughly 14 miles north of Spartanburg. Owned by Spartanburg Water, it supplies the area’s drinking water and is a genuinely popular recreation lake.

Crucially for boaters, Bowen has no horsepower limit, so ski boats and bigger fishing rigs share the water with the paddlers. Spartanburg Water’s Anchor Park offers two boat ramps, a playground and bank access. The fishing runs deep — Bowen is one of the Upstate’s best crappie lakes, alongside healthy largemouth bass, channel catfish and bluegill — and the wooded shoreline carries a steady market of lake homes.

Nearby lakes

• Lake Blalock — Spartanburg Water’s other reservoir on the South Pacolet
• Lake Cooley — a smaller, quieter Spartanburg County lake

Rules & Fees

(More rules apply – see official Lake Bowen website – link provided below)

• Outboard Engine – Maximum Allowed 115 HP
• Inboard/Outboard –  Maximum Allowed  190 HP
• Boat permit is required – Can purchase at Wardens Office located at lake.
• Spartanburg County Resident boat permit – 15 HP or less $ 40 (season)
• Spartanburg County Resident Boat permit – 15 to 190 HP $85.00 (season)
• South Carolina Resident Boat Permit – 15 HP or Less – $ 145.00 (season)
• South Carolina Resident Boat Permit – 15 to 190 HP – $ 175.00 (season)
• Out of State  – 15 HP or less – $ 325.00
• Out of State – 15 to 190 HP – $ 400.00

For a complete set of Rules and Regualtions for Lake Bowen please check out the Official Lake Bowen website provided by Spartanburg Water System below: 

                                                   Spartanburg Water System Lake Bowen Page 

• Location:   Spartanburg County
• Size:   1534 acres
• Maximum Depth:     41 feet
• Average Depth:  15 feet
• Full Pool Elevation: 819 feet above MSL
• Roads: On SC Highway 9 about nine miles north of Spartanburg.  I-26 crosses over the lake.

Lake Bowen FAQ

How big is Lake Bowen?

It covers 1,534 acres with about 33 miles of shoreline in Spartanburg County, around 14 miles north of Spartanburg.

Is there a horsepower limit on Lake Bowen?

No — unlike most area water-district lakes, Bowen has no horsepower limit, so larger boats are welcome.

What is the fishing like on Lake Bowen?

It is one of the Upstate’s top crappie lakes, with strong largemouth bass, channel catfish and bluegill as well.