Body pulled from Lake Wateree after swimmer experiences ‘distress’

A body was pulled from Lake Wateree late Thursday after a person was reporting missing on the reservoir northeast of Columbia.

The victim, a man whose name has not been released, left a boat to swim in the lake and “began experiencing distress.,’’ according to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. SCDNR divers recovered the body. The matter remains under investigation.

The Kershaw County Fire Service searched a part of the lake near Nautical Drive in the sailing club area, the service reported. Multiple law enforcement crews were involved in the search.

Lake Wateree is a more than 13,000 acre lake created in 1920. It is peppered with residential development, as well as public access points, and is a popular summer recreational spot for boaters, anglers and swimmers. It is about 30 miles from Columbia in Fairfield, Kershaw and Lancaster counties.

This story will be updated when additional details are available.

Sammy Fretwell

The State

803-771-8537

Sammy Fretwell has covered the environment beat for The State since 1995. He writes about an array of issues, including wildlife, climate change, energy, state environmental policy, nuclear waste and coastal development. He has won numerous awards, including Journalist of the Year by the S.C. Press Association in 2017. Fretwell is a University of South Carolina graduate who grew up in Anderson County. Reach him at 803 771 8537. Support my work with a digital subscription