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 50,000 acres and is located in the midlands of South Carolina just north of Columbia, the state capital.

Check out the lake level befoe your trip!

About Lake Murray

Lake Murray is owned and operated by South Carolina Electric and Gas Company, a subsidiary of SCANA Corporation, who also own and manage Lake Monticello. This lake has approximately 525 miles of shoreline and a length of about 20 miles.

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 525 Miles
• Size 50,000 Acres
• Length  20 Miles
• Width 8 Miles
• Dam Height  208 Feet at original Construction
• Dam Length  1/2 Mile
• Turbine Generators  4 (Original Construction)
• Dam Completion  1930
• Project Management  South Carolina Electric & Gas  Company
• Full Pool Elevation  360 Ft. MSL (Kingfisher Maps)
• Maximum Depth   190.7 Feet (SCDHEC)
• Mean Depth  41.5 Feet (SCDHEC)

Lake Murray quick facts

How deep is Lake Murray?

Lake Murray averages around 40 feet deep, but it falls away to nearly 200 feet in the old Saluda River channel beside the dam, where the hydro intake towers stand. Full pool sits at 360 feet above sea level, and the utility that owns the dam draws the lake down a few feet over winter for flood storage and dam maintenance — so the shoreline you see in February is noticeably wider than the one in June. That mix of deep open water and shallow, cove-laced shoreline is exactly what makes Murray such a versatile lake for both anglers and swimmers.

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

Full pool on Lake Murray is 360 feet above mean sea level. Because the lake is a hydroelectric reservoir, Dominion Energy manages a seasonal “rule curve,” holding the lake near full through the summer recreation season and lowering it over winter. If you are launching at a marginal ramp or planning dock work, check the current lake level before you go — the operator and the USGS both publish daily readings (links below).

Is Lake Murray safe to swim?

Yes — Murray is a hugely popular swimming lake, and unlike many reservoirs it has a designated public swimming area at the South Shore recreation site by the dam, complete with restrooms and picnic grounds. Away from that, most swimming happens off private docks and sandbars. There are no lifeguards, so the usual lake-safety rules apply: watch for boat traffic, wear a life jacket on open water, and stay out of any cove where the water has a visible blue-green algae scum during the hottest part of summer.

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.

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?

Lake Murray covers about 50,000 acres with roughly 650 miles of shoreline, stretching 41 miles long and up to 14 miles wide across four counties northwest of Columbia.

How deep is Lake Murray?

It averages about 40 feet and reaches nearly 200 feet at its deepest, near the dam. Full pool is 360 feet above sea level.

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 South Shore recreation area by the dam has a designated public swimming area with restrooms and picnic facilities. There are no lifeguards.

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.