Lake Cooley - SJWD Water District

Providing Water for Future Generations.

Lake Cooley is a 330-acre reservoir named in honor of long-time SJWD Commissioner and Byrnes High School agriculture teacher, Raymond L. Cooley, who played a key role in establishing the SJWD Water District in 1958. Built in 1974 along Jordan Creek, which flows into the North Tyger River, Lake Cooley serves as a future water supply for the district. While SJWD currently draws its water from the Middle Tyger River—providing more than seven million gallons daily to 87,000 residential customers across 168 square miles—Lake Cooley remains an integral part of the system, along with Lyman Lake and the North Tyger Reservoir. Open from sunrise to sunset, Lake Cooley is a popular fishing destination, home to crappie, largemouth bass, catfish, and bream. Visitors can enjoy a fishing pier, playground, picnic shelters, grills, and a pavilion that accommodates up to 75 people. With a 15-horsepower boating limit, canoes and small boats are a favorite choice for enjoying the lake’s peaceful waters. SJWD is pleased to collaborate with Spartanburg County Parks to provide the Lake Cooley Park and Outdoor Education Center.For more information on shelter rentals and park amenities, please follow the link below.

Lake Policies and Procedures

To better protect the reservoirs as a source of drinking water, SJWD’s Board of Commissioners has adopted certain Policies and Procedures. These Policies and Procedures are also intended to better protect the buffer zone that the District owns around the lakes. In addition, they are guidelines for providing safe recreation for all who use the lakes. Your compliance with these Policies and Procedures is vital for the safeguarding of this essential water resource. SJWD is committed to protecting these water resources and will enforce these policies.

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