Dreher Shoals Dam at Lake Murray

When construction was finished on Lake Murray and the Dreher Shoals Dam im 1930, Lake Murray was the largest man-made lake in the world for power production purposes and Dreher Shoals Dam was the largest earthern dam in the world. The Dreher Shoals Dam is approximately 1.5 miles long and 213 feet high.  Lake Murray was named for William S. Murray (the orginal project engineer) and The Dreher Shoals Dam is named for the Dreher family that owned land in the immediate area where this dam is built.

In 2005, a seismic remediation of the Saluda Dam was completed consisting of a new backup dam (also 213 feet high) immediately downstream of and adjacent to the original dam.

 Lake Murray is 41 miles long, 14 miles wide at its widest point and has approximately 640 miles of shoreline. The lake covers a surface area of approximately 48,000 acres.


Dreher Shoals Dam at Lake Murray


I have an informative webpage on my Lake Murray website with more information about the dam at Lake Murray with some really cool pictures.

Dreher Shoals Dam at Lake Murray webpage


Mel Coker
Lake Murray Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 388-8011

Springtime: Walk the Dam!

Warm Weather Brings out Dam Walkers!

One of the Columbia area’s most popular walking/jogging pathways is directly across the top of the Dreher Shoals Dam along S.C. Highway 6 at Lake Murray.  The distance is 1.7 miles each way for a total walk of 3.4 miles.

The pathway offers spectacular views of Lake Murray and even the downtown Columbia skyline 11 miles away. This pathway was completed after the construction of the new backup dam at Dreher Shoals Dam on Lake Murray (in 2005) and with the widening of S.C. Highway 6 across the top of the dam (in 2007).  Parking is available at either side of the Dreher Shoals Dam.  A small free parking lot is on the Lexington (South) side of the dam.

CLICK HERE to visit my Walk Across The Dam webpage with more information and pictures

Irmo Side of Dam

View towards 5 Towers & Lexington Side

Walk Across the Dam at Lake Murray website

Dreher Shoals Dam - 81 years old!

NEW Webpage at www.LakeMurray-SC.com:
Dreher Shoals Dam

I've done the research, HTML coding and it's now complete... My new webpage with an overview of Dreher Shoals Dam.   Most people seem to refer to this engineering marvel as the Lake Murray Dam, but, the official name is Dreher Shoals Dam.
CLICK HERE: Dreher Shoals Dam

Read my webpage and you'll discover: when it was planned, when it was finished, the length and much more.  I've also got some really cool pictures.  Please take a look soon to learn more about the fascinating history of Lake Murray's Dam:  Dreher Shoals Dam.




Dreher Shoals Dam on Lake Murray

S.C. Highway 6 - Just Completed in 1930



CLICK> Dreher Shoals Dam



Dreher Shoals Dam - Engineering Marvel in 1930

Mel Coker
Lake Murray Realtor & Lake Murray Resident
(803) 388-8011
Lake Murray Website
Lake Murray Real Estate