Lake Murray dam receives historic landmark recognition
The Lake Murray dam, in South Carolina is now a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Formally known as the Dreher Shoals Dam, it was recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Dominion Energy. The project joins the growing list of 350 engineering landmarks.
“Civil engineering is all about protecting public health and safety while improving quality of life, and the Dreher Shoals Dam is a shining example of that,” said ASCE President Marsha Anderson Bomar. “Innovative infrastructure projects help communities thrive and leave a lasting impact on communities for generations.”
This dedication comes at the 100 year anniversary of the land being acquired for the project. Construction of the Lake Murray dam completed in 1930. At the time, it was the largest earthen dam in the world at 1.5 miles long and 210 feet high.
“While Dreher Shoals Dam and the Saluda Hydroelectric Project have transformed over the past century, both facilities remain a testament to the generations of dedicated workers who operate them, said Dominion Energy South Carolina President Keller Kissam. “Our family of employees continues to fulfill our obligation to serve the energy needs of the great state of South Carolina.”
The project created the world’s largest power reservoir at the time. Lake Murray dam covers approximately 50,000 acres and 650 miles of shoreline. It holds approximately 763 billion gallons of water when at full pool. In 2005, a backup dam was built for extra security.
