Hartwell Lake is one of the most popular Corps lakes in the nation. Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1955 and 1963 as part of a flood control, hydropower, and navigation project, authorized purposes now include recreation, water quality, water supply, and fish and wildlife management. Hartwell Lake comprises nearly 56,000 acres of water with a shoreline of 962 miles. Over 20,000 acres of public land surrounds the lake. The Corps operates 9 campgrounds, 15 major day use areas, and numerous other lake-access areas.

The dam is located just off of U.S. Hwy 29 on the South Carolina/Georgia border. The Hartwell Operation's Managers Office and Visitor Center is located one mile past the dam on the Georgia side (or 5 miles north of Hartwell, Georgia).