Lake Hartwell

Lake Hartwell

Hartwell, Hart County, GA
88mi²
202.00ft
Directions
Lake Information

Lake Hartwell is a reservoir located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, covering parts of Georgia and South Carolina. With a surface area of 56,000 acres and over 962 miles of shoreline, it is one of the largest and most popular recreation lakes in the southeast United States. The lake was created by the Hartwell Dam, which was built in the 1950s to control flooding and generate hydroelectric power. Lake Hartwell is a popular destination for boating, fishing, swimming, and other water sports. The lake has a reputation for its excellent fishing, with abundant populations of largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, and catfish. The lake's clear waters make it a great place for snorkeling, diving, and other underwater activities. In addition to water sports, Lake Hartwell offers a variety of recreational opportunities on its shores. The lake has over 45 parks and campgrounds, many of which offer hiking trails, picnic areas, and scenic overlooks. The Hartwell Dam and Visitor Center provide educational exhibits on the history of the lake, the surrounding area, and the importance of water conservation. Lake Hartwell also serves as an important resource for drinking water, irrigation, and industry in the surrounding area. The lake is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, who work to maintain the lake's water levels, quality, and recreational opportunities. Overall, Lake Hartwell is a treasured resource for both Georgia and South Carolina, providing a wealth of recreational opportunities, natural beauty, and economic benefits to the region.

Read more

Current Conditions

67°F°
Feels like 68°F°
Clear
Today's High
70°F°
Today's Low
54°F°

Water Temperature

71°F
Updated: (May 3)
Sign in to contribute temps.

Current water temperature for Lake Hartwell is 71°F.

Current Snapshot

Wind2 mph SW (Gust 9 mph)
Pressure
29.80 inHg
Visibility13 mi
Humidity87%
Cloud Cover5%

Forecast: Sunday, May 4

Day 1 of 9

Hourly Insights

7 AM
54°F°
10 AM
61°F°
1 PM
67°F°
4 PM
70°F°
7 PM
67°F°

Temperature

High
70°F°
Low
54°F°

Precipitation

Chance77%
Amount0.29"
Typerain

Wind

7mph
Avg Speed
Gusts up to
19mph
CalmModerateStrong
Max Speed11 mph

Sun, Moon & UV

Sunrise10:38 AM
Sunset12:18 AM
Moon PhasefirstQuarter
Max UV Index8 (Very High)

Solunar Fishing Forecast

Action Rating
2/5

Todays action is rated a 2 (scale is 0 thru 5, 5 is the best)

Major Times (Best)

11:42 PM - 2:12 AM

12:17 PM - 2:47 PM

Minor Times (Good)

4:34 PM - 6:04 PM

6:09 AM - 7:39 AM

Outlook for Sunday at Lake Hartwell

Expect temperatures ranging from 54°F to 70°F. There's a 77% chance of rain, potentially bringing around 0.29" rain. Winds will be averaging 7 mph, with potential gusts reaching up to 19 mph. The maximum UV index will be 8 (Very High), so plan sun protection accordingly. For anglers, today's fishing action is rated 2/5 (Todays action is rated a 2 (scale is 0 thru 5, 5 is the best)). Look for the best bite times during the major periods around 11:42 PM and 12:17 PM, or try the minor windows near 4:34 PM and 6:09 AM for potential early morning or evening action. Check back for the latest conditions and forecasts for Lake Hartwell.

Lake Map Views

LakeMonster PRO

Try Premium Features

Find the fishing sweet spots! See detailed temperature readings throughout your lake.

No credit card required for preview

May 4th 2025

Lake Information

Elevation
202 ft
Area
88 mi²
Coordinates
34.461, -82.876

Weather Forecast

Sunday

70°F
54°F

Monday

71°F
51°F

Tuesday

76°F
52°F

Wednesday

68°F
58°F

Thursday

71°F
61°F

Friday

69°F
58°F

Saturday

67°F
54°F

Sunday

71°F
55°F

Monday

76°F
56°F
Sunday - 5/4/2025
70°F
54°F
12am
59°F
71°F
29.84 hPa
3 mph
W
G: 13 mph
2am
58°F
71°F
29.81 hPa
5 mph
SW
G: 8 mph
4am
57°F
71°F
29.81 hPa
4 mph
WSW
G: 12 mph
6am
55°F
71°F
29.81 hPa
5 mph
WSW
G: 12 mph
8am
56°F
71°F
29.84 hPa
5 mph
W
G: 12 mph
10am
61°F
71°F
29.85 hPa
7 mph
WSW
G: 14 mph
12pm
65°F
71°F
29.87 hPa
9 mph
WSW
G: 17 mph
2pm
68°F
71°F
29.85 hPa
11 mph
WSW
G: 19 mph
4pm
70°F
71°F
29.83 hPa
11 mph
WSW
G: 18 mph
6pm
69°F
71°F
29.83 hPa
10 mph
WSW
G: 17 mph
8pm
64°F
71°F
29.85 hPa
7 mph
W
G: 13 mph
10pm
60°F
71°F
29.88 hPa
6 mph
W
G: 14 mph

Water Temperature History

Trends for Lake Hartwell

Current Temp

Sign in to view

Latest recorded surface temperature.

Lowest in Period

44°F

On Jan 19

Coldest point in the Last 12 Months.

Average in Period

66°F

Typical temp during the Last 12 Months.

Temperature Trend: Last 12 Months

Surface temperature over the selected period.

Key Observations (Last 12 Months)

  • Warmest avg: July (85°F).
  • Coolest avg: December (51°F).
  • Avg temps often suitable for swimming during July.
  • Rapid warming often occurs: January → February (+13°F).
  • Sharpest cooling trend: October → November (-10°F).

Weather Forecast

Wind speed and pressure trends

Hourly Wind Forecast

12am1am2am3am4am5am6am7am8am9am10am11am12pm1pm2pm3pm4pm5pm6pm7pm8pm9pm10pm11pm05101520

Wind Direction

281°

Pressure

1010 mb

Cloud Cover

98%

Visibility

4 miles

Daily Pressure Forecast

SunMonTueWedThuFriSatSunMon0.008.8617.7226.5835.44
Go Premium
Better lake days, better fishing, better you with LakeMonster Pro
Relaxing app background
LakeMonster App Icon
Get a 7 day free trial

Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Hartwell

Get accurate, up-to-date information about conditions at Lake Hartwell.