Popular Mechanics May 1931 Article on Lake Murray

In the May 1931 edition of Popular Mechanics, the new Lake Murray dam (officially, Dreher Shoals Dam) was featured as a "mile long earth dam impervious to water."  

The lake was named after William S. Murray, a New York engineer involved in the design and creation of the dam.  The lake and dam were under construction from 1927 through 1930.  The project was completed December 1, 1930, when the first electric power was delivered and Lake Murray was celebrated as the world’s largest power reservoir.

The original Dreher Shoals Dam is 1 ½ miles long, 375 feet thick, 208 feet high and covers 99 acres.   When completed, it was the largest earthen dam in the world.

Get more Lake Murray information from Mel Coker, Lake Murray Realtor/Resident:
Lake Murray website
Lake Murray Blog

May 1931 Article from Popular Mechanics Magazine

Ready to buy a home or property on Lake Murray?   Call Mel Coker, a Lake Murray Realtor and Resident at (803) 223-6214.

Mel Coker

RE/MAX Metro Associates

Lake Murray & Columbia, SC Real Estate

Mel Coker's Lake Murray Website

Happy Birthday LAKE MURRAY!

I missed Lake Murray's 80th birthday last year... but, this year the Grand lake is 81 years old in 2011!   Lake Murray is South Carolina's BEST lake!  It's also one of the most recognized lakes in the Southeast.  It's a great place to live, fish or just have fun.




Dreher Shoals Dam at Lake Murray


Just today, I've created a NEW Lake Murray webpage:  Dreher Shoals Dam
Please take a quick look at the interesting information about this engineering marvel and see the cool pictures I've put together.

More Lake Murray information:
Mel Coker's Lake Murray Website
Mel Coker's Lake Murray Blog

Popular Mechanics Magazine: May 1931

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

Spring Time is Time to Walk Lake Murray's 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

Walk Across the Dam at Lake Murray website