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The purpose of the South Carolina Picture Project is to celebrate the beauty of the Palmetto State while preserving some of its vanishing landscapes.

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Lake Murray

SC PICTURE PROJECT 1 Comment

SC Picture Project / Lexington County / Lake Murray

Lake Murray is a 50,000-acre man-made lake located in the heart of South Carolina, just west of Columbia. It borders the towns of Lexington, Irmo, and Chapin, which is often called the “Capital of Lake Murray.”

Lake Murray Dam

Steve Rich of Aiken, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Lake Murray was named for the dam’s chief engineer, William S. Murray. It was created in 1930 as a result of the Saluda Dam (also called the Dreher Shoals Dam), which was once the largest earthen dam in the world. The dam stands 1.5 miles wide and 213 feet high; above, the intake towers peer above the still surface. The dam is an incredible site to see!

Dreher Shoals Damn 1927-1930

Contributed by Scott Krause of Columbia, 1927-1930 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Originally inhabited by the Catawba and Cherokee Indians, the area that is now Lake Murray was ultimately settled by European immigrants, primarily of Dutch and German descent. In order to build Lake Murray, the Lexington Water Power Company relocated 5,000 citizens, removed three churches and six schools, and submerged 193 graveyards.

Foggy Dock, Lake Murray

Adam Powell of Columbia, 2019 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The largest section of Lake Murray is located in Lexington County, but portions also extend into Saluda, Newberry, and Richland counties. Lake Murray is owned by SCE&G and provides most of the electricity for the Midlands region.

Lake Murray Hydroelectric Dam

Ralph Mayer of Lexington, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

More Pictures of Lake Murray


Locks on Lake Murray Dam

Theresa Borgeson of Conway, 2019 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Lake Murray Foggy Intake Towers

Mary Hughes Calloway of Lexington, 2019 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Lake Murray Intake Towers

Ralph Mayer of Lexington, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Lake Murray Intake Towers Aerial

Ralph Mayer of Lexington, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Lake Murray Sailboat

Ralph Mayer of Lexington, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Lake Murray

Mary Hughes Calloway of Lexington, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Lake Murray

Lera T. Pollard of Gilbert, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Lake Murray

Ann Elam of Lexington, 2018 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Lake Murray Dock

Steve Rich of Aiken, 2013 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Lake Murray Towers

Ralph Mayer of Lexington, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Lake Murray

Ralph Mayer of Lexington, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Lake Murray SC

Paul Gowder of Lexington, 2010 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Lake Murray Sunset

Teri Leigh Teed of Columbia, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Lake Murray Lexington

Barbara Hendrix of Gilbert, 2014 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Reflections on Lake Murray


Contributor Keri Pendergrass, who captured the photo below, shares: “My new-found love of photography has inspired me to explore my backyard (so to speak). I’ve been able to share this love with my husband and daughter as well, going on photo expeditions and such. This particular day my daughter and I took a sunset stroll across the Lake Murray Dam in Lexington, and I was able to capture some very beautiful images. Here is one of my personal favorites. I hope you enjoy viewing it as much as we do.”

Lake Murray Lexington County

Keri Pendergrass of Lexington, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Plan Your Trip:

Where is located?
SC
GPS Coordinates: 34.038495,-81.217480
What else should I see?
Saluda River 2.6 miles
St. Michael's Lutheran Church 4.4 miles
John Fox House 6 miles
Corley Hall Plantation 6.1 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Lakes
  • Lexington Historic Sites
    Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Naomi Hamm says

      August 24, 2010 at 1:29 PM

      This is really pretty. I love the ambers, oranges, and browns mixed with egg-shell blue. It’s awesome and inspiring!

      Reply

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