Lake Murray – one of the oldest in SC

Lake Murray is one of the oldest lakes in South Carolina and is the second major lake on the Saluda River.  It covers roughly 50,000 acres west of Columbia, the state capital.

Check the lake level before your trip!

About Lake Murray

Lake Murray is a reservoir on the Saluda River, managed by Dominion Energy. It extends across Lexington, Newberry, Richland and Saluda counties. Lake Murray Country gives its dimensions as about 41 miles long and up to 14 miles wide. For another nearby reservoir, see Lake Monticello.

There are some interesting facts about Lake Murray.  For one thing, Lake Murray has two separate dams. One of these dams is the original earthen dam built in 1930, which at the time of construction was the largest earthen dam in the world. The second dam is a new backup dam that was completed in 2005. This second dam was built to help protect the lake in the event of an earthquake.

History of Lake Murray

Another interesting fact is that in 2005, a World War II aircraft was pulled from the waters of Lake Murray. During World War II military aircraft based at a nearby Army base performed practice bombing runs on one of the islands. By the end of World War II five B-25 aircraft ended up ditched in the lake. All of these aircraft were recovered during the war except for one, which was located at a depth of 150 feet. At the time the plane was too deep to salvage. Later, with modern technology and equipment, the plane was lifted out of the lake and sent to a museum in Alabama for restoration and display.

Lake Murray is a lake that is well established and has a large number of lakeside businesses to serve all your recreational needs. Almost anything you need for a lakeside visit can be found here. There is one state park, bait and tackle shops, marinas, motels, numerous boat ramps, boat tours of the lake, and much more. The Kingfisher Lake Map sold above contains the listing of most of the lake businesses with phone numbers.

Lake Murray also happens to be a great fishing lake, which is known for its striper and bass fishing. There are some huge stripers in Lake Murray. If you want a guided trip on this lake, there are plenty of fishing guides here and most can be found on the web.

Specifications

• Major Highway Access 221 * 391 * 571 (St. Park Rd)
• Shoreline 620 miles (SCDNR); about 650 miles (Lake Murray Country)
• Surface area 48,579 acres (SCDNR); about 50,000 acres (Lake Murray Country)
• Length about 41 miles (Lake Murray Country)
• Maximum width about 14 miles (Lake Murray Country)
• Dam Height  208 Feet at original Construction
• Dam length 1.6 miles (SCDNR)
• Turbine Generators  4 (Original Construction)
• Dam Completion  1930
• Project management: Dominion Energy
• Normal maximum pool elevation: 360 feet, plant datum (Dominion Energy)
• Maximum depth: approximately 200 feet (SCDNR)
• Average depth: 41.5 feet (SCDNR)

Lake Murray quick facts

The SCDNR lake profile lists 48,579 acres and 620 miles of shoreline. The regional tourism board, Lake Murray Country, uses about 50,000 acres and 650 miles. These are different published estimates; neither source explains the difference on those pages. The figures above keep that distinction.

Was Lake Murray the largest man-made lake?

The historical claim concerns power generation: Lake Murray Country describes it as the world’s largest power reservoir when it first generated electricity in December 1930. It is not South Carolina’s largest lake today; South Carolina State Parks identifies Lake Marion as the largest in the state.

How deep is Lake Murray?

SCDNR reports an average depth of 41.5 feet and a maximum of approximately 200 feet. Lake Murray Country gives a maximum of 190 feet at full pool. Treat these as published estimates, not a depth reading for a particular cove or boat route. The lake-level reading is a separate measurement, explained below.

Fishing on Lake Murray

Murray built its reputation on striped bass. The lake was one of the first inland fisheries in the country stocked with landlocked stripers, and to this day “rockfish” are what most visiting anglers come for, schooling in open water and chased on live blueback herring or by trolling. Largemouth bass are the other headline act — Murray has hosted Bassmaster and FLW tournaments — holding around docks, brush and the grass that lines the upper coves. Below them swims a full supporting cast: crappie on the standing timber, bluegill and shellcracker (redear) on the spring beds, and channel, blue and flathead catfish prowling the bottom. Spring and fall are the easy seasons; in summer the bite moves early, late and deep, while winter brings some of the best striper fishing of the year.

Lake Murray water level

Dominion Energy defines normal maximum pool as 360 feet in plant datum (PD) in its 2026 permitting handbook. Plant datum is the operator’s reference for elevations; 360 feet is not the depth of the lake. Before launching or planning shoreline work, check the timestamped reading on Dominion Energy’s Lake Murray page.

Is Lake Murray safe to swim?

The designated public swimming area is on the Lexington side of the dam. It has restrooms and picnic facilities, but no lifeguard. The Irmo-side boat-launch area does not allow swimming.

For the 2026 season, Dominion Energy requires an online reservation in advance for the Lexington-side park, with parking at $5 per vehicle per day. Cash is not accepted at the gate. The beach operates seasonally through Labor Day; check the operator’s current schedule and reservation page before travelling. A designated swimming area is not a guarantee of water conditions on the day you visit.

Camping and Dreher Island State Park

The hub of camping on Lake Murray is Dreher Island State Park, about 30 miles northwest of Columbia near Prosperity. Spread across three islands linked by causeways, the park packs in roughly 12 miles of shoreline with lakefront campsites for tents and RVs, fully furnished villas you can rent by the night, a boat ramp, a tackle shop and short nature trails. It books up fast on summer weekends, so reserve early. Several private campgrounds and marinas around the lake offer additional RV and tent sites.

Bomb Island and the purple martins

Murray’s most unusual claim to fame floats in the middle of the lake. Every summer, Bomb Island — so named because the Army Air Corps used it for bombing practice during World War II — becomes the largest purple martin roost in North America, drawing well over a million birds. From late June into early August, and peaking in mid-July, the martins pour onto the island in a swirling cloud at dusk. The island is a protected bird sanctuary, so the show is watched from the water: countless boaters anchor offshore in the evening to take it in, and several operators run sunset purple-martin tours.

Things to do around Lake Murray

Beyond the birds, Murray is the Midlands’ playground. The lake throws what is regularly called the largest Independence Day fireworks display in South Carolina, fired over the water off the dam each July. The photogenic Lake Murray Lighthouse anchors a small lakeside park, and the Lake Murray Dam walk in Lexington County offers a breezy, multi-mile paved path with panoramic views — one of the best easy walks in the region. Add waterfront restaurants, marinas, golf and the nearby towns of Irmo, Chapin and Lexington, and you have a full weekend within minutes of Columbia.

Lake Murray real estate

Murray is the premier waterfront address in central South Carolina, and the market reflects it. At any given time there are roughly 200 homes for sale on the lake, with an average price around the million-dollar mark and listings stretching from the mid-$200,000s for cottages and lots up past $7 million for the marquee estates. The most sought-after communities cluster around Chapin, Irmo, Lexington and Prosperity, where buyers prize big-water views and deep, dockable frontage. If you have a Lake Murray home or vacation rental you would like listed on this page, reach out through our contact form. For current prices and the best communities, see our Lake Murray real estate guide.

Explore more South Carolina lakes

• Lake Greenwood — the next reservoir up the Saluda River
• Lake Monticello — the clear pumped-storage lake just north in Fairfield County
• Lake Wateree — another Midlands favorite east of Columbia

Lake Murray Photos

Location

Google Map of LAKE MURRAY

Rental Homes Available For Rent Now on Lake Murray

If you have one, just contact us to list it here

Lake Murray Links on the Web

• www.LakeMurray-SC.com – Lake Murray Information
• www.LakeMurrayBlog.com – Lake Murray Blog
• www.lakemurrayvacation.com – Lake Murray Vacation
• Lake Guide : check it out!
• Lake History on Wikipedia 
• This site is one of the most comprehensive sites on the web. www.lakemurrayfun.com

More photos of Lake Murray

Lake Murray FAQ

How big is Lake Murray?

SCDNR lists 48,579 acres and 620 miles of shoreline; Lake Murray Country uses about 50,000 acres and 650 miles. The tourism board gives a length of 41 miles and a maximum width of 14 miles.

How deep is Lake Murray?

SCDNR gives an average depth of 41.5 feet and a maximum of approximately 200 feet. Lake Murray Country lists a maximum of 190 feet at full pool. These are published estimates, not local navigation soundings.

When was Lake Murray built?

The lake was created in 1930 when the Dreher Shoals (Saluda) Dam was completed — at the time the largest earthen dam in the world, built to generate hydroelectric power.

What fish are in Lake Murray?

Striped bass are the signature species, along with largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish (shellcracker) and channel, blue and flathead catfish.

What are the purple martins at Lake Murray?

Bomb Island hosts the largest purple martin roost in North America — over a million birds — from late June into early August, best seen from a boat at dusk.

Can you camp at Lake Murray?

Yes. Dreher Island State Park near Prosperity offers lakefront campsites, RV sites and rentable villas, plus a boat ramp and trails.

Is there a public swimming area at Lake Murray?

Yes. The Lexington-side park at the dam has a seasonal swimming area, restrooms and picnic facilities, with no lifeguard. For 2026, reserve a day pass online in advance; parking costs $5 per vehicle. Check Dominion Energy for the current schedule. Swimming is not allowed at the Irmo-side boat launch.

How much do homes on Lake Murray cost?

Around 200 homes are typically for sale, averaging near $1 million and ranging from the mid-$200,000s to over $7 million, concentrated around Chapin, Irmo, Lexington and Prosperity.