Saluda River Gorge
Location: Keeler Bridge Road, Travelers Rest, SC
Size: 225 acres
Habitat: Rolling hills, river, rapids
Public Use: day use, hiking only
Partners: Easley Combined Utilities, SC Conservation Bank, Save Our Saluda
Year Protected: 2020
Naturaland Trust has worked for decades to protect the North, South and Middle Saluda Rivers along their course before their convergence at Saluda Lake in Greenville County. Many of these properties have become popular trout fishing, paddling, and hiking destinations while serving the dual benefit of protecting source water for the people of Easley. Since much of the watershed north of the lake is unprotected, the lake’s health faces an uncertain future. This is especially concerning for Easley Combined Utilities (ECU), who draws their drinking water from the lake.
In 2011 ECU spent over $7,000,000 dredging excess sediment that washed down from farms and cleared lands north of Saluda Lake. Taking a proactive stance to help Saluda Lake and the people of Easley, ECU decided to invest in land conservation and habitat restoration to protect the forests that buffer the South, North and Middle Saluda Rivers.
With guidance from Save Our Saluda, we looked for the right property to start this initiative. The 225-acre Saluda River Gorge property is situated approximately 7 miles upstream of the Saluda Lake between the North and South Saluda Rivers. The property is mixed mature forest on relatively steep land that includes over 2 miles of frontage on the North Saluda River (which forms the eastern boundary) and 3/4-mile on the South Saluda River (which forms the southwest boundary), along with interior streams and floodplains. The rivers tumble over boulders, forming rapids and a gorgeous blueway in a gorge-like setting. Because of its steep boundaries, river frontage and interior streams, a clear-cut, development or mismanagement could have severe and lasting negative impacts on Saluda Lake.
ECU agreed to purchase and hold the property until Naturaland Trust could raise the funding to buy the land and protect it forever. In April of 2020, with funding from the SC Conservation Bank and a $250,000 donation via bargain sale from Easley Combined Utilities, Naturaland Trust closed on the property. ECU’s proactive attitude to protect source water is one we hope will become a model for other utilities around the State.
