Lake Murray, South Carolina
Capt. Rob Lee, USCG Licensed Guide
Lake Murray is located near the capital city of Columbia, South Carolina. Saluda Dam and the Saluda Hydroelectric Plant were built between 1927 and 1930, forming a 50,000 acre lake covering almost seventy-eight square miles with almost 650 miles of shoreline. The waters of the Lake, fed primarily by the Saluda River, supply energy to hydroelectric turbines and cooling water for the McMeekin Steam Generating Plant. South Carolina Electric & Gas Company operates the turbines and the steam generating plant. When work was completed, Lake Murray earned the distinction as the largest earthen dam in the world at the time.
Lake Murray continues to provide electricity, drinking water and has become the recreational center of the South Carolina Midlands. Along with its beautiful views and crystal clear waters, Lake Murray offers boating, canoeing, sailing, water skiing, swimming, camping and, of course, excellent fishing.
Along with great fishing for largemouth, crappie, bream and various other species, Lake Murray has become the top striped bass lake in the Palmetto State.
In 2002, a new backup dam was begun behind the existing dam and the two-lane road now on top of the dam will be widened to four lanes. The Federal Energy Resource Commission, which has jurisdiction over all federally-licensed hydroelectric projects, has ordered SCE&G to lower lake levels to at approximately 345 feet, or about 15 feet below full pool. The water is expected to begin rising in June 2004.
