Lake Murray is approximately 50,000 acres in size with an estimated 620 miles of shoreline. When the dam was completed in 1930, Lake Murray was the largest man made reservoir. The official name of the dam is Dreher Shoals Dam, but all the locals call it the Lake Murray Dam. The dam is just over 1.5 miles long. Many residents of the area use the walking path for exercise. The lake is about 220 feet deep at its deepest point.
Lake Murray is North America’s first officially designated Purple Martin Sanctuary. Each summer, from June until September, thousands of purple martins flock to Bomb Island. They roost in the evenings and refuel themselves in the morning. By September, the Purple Martins begin their migratory flight to South America for the winter months. I recommend boating out near Bomb Island near sunset to enjoy the spectacle of all the purple martins coming in to roost. It is a truly magnificent sight.
The Irmo /Chapin side of Lake Murray is a poplular area. It’s close to I-26 which allows easy access to all the Greater Columbia area has to offer. Irmo & Chapin are located in Richland and Lexington Counties. There are many locations for dining, shopping, and entertainment. The main thoroughfare for all of this is Harbison Boulevard. Irmo & Chapin are located in the Lexington Richland 5 school district, rated one of the top districts in all of South Carolina.