Lake Bowen, lake in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States

Lake Bowen is a 1,534-acre reservoir in northern Spartanburg County, South Carolina, formed by the South Pacolet River and stretching parallel to South Carolina Highway 11. It has 33 miles of shoreline, and the Interstate 26 bridge crosses it between exits 5 and 10.

The lake was created in 1960 to meet the needs of a growing population drawn to the area by new business and Interstate 85. A drought in the early 1950s had highlighted the need for reliable water storage to support community development.

The reservoir is named for William C. Bowen, the engineer who designed and supervised its construction. Fishing and boating are regulated under rules adopted for the lake, and fish caught there are considered safe to eat. Picnic pavilions, boat ramps and a playground stand near the water.

The lake lies along South Carolina Highway 11, with the Interstate 26 bridge crossing between exits 5 and 10. Picnic pavilions, boat ramps and a playground stand near the water. Boating and fishing are allowed under adopted rules and regulations, so check the current rules and any required permits before launching.

The reservoir is held behind a dam on the South Pacolet River and reaches 33 miles (53 km) of shoreline, the longest of any lake in Spartanburg County. The Interstate 26 bridge crosses the water between exits 5 and 10, and South Carolina Highway 11 runs parallel to the lake.