Lake Murray is often called the "Jewel" of the midlands. Located near Columbia, SC, this 47,500 acre reservoir  provides recreational opportunities for thousands of visitors each year.  The lake is also home to an estimated 30,000  residents.

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Lake Murray homeowners are a very unique and special interest group.   As residents, our quality of life and property values are impacted by how the lake and its resources are managed now and in the future. On the average, we utilize the lake's resources much more than the casual visitor. We act as primary caretakers and stewards of the lake, and represent the first line of defense in protecting water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, aesthetic values and concerns about unsafe conditions. Our strong pro-active participation in on-going decision making processes will help ensure that future generations will continue to enjoy this resource as we do today.  

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Action needed-  In spite of the drought conditions, SCE&G was able to keep the lake level around full operating pool for entire summer. Email SCE&G VP Jim Landreth ( jlandreth@scana.com)  and thank him for a job well done. Also ask him to continue to keep the lake near full operating pool until drought conditions subside. See news article on the Lake News page.

 Looking for the boating safety survey?  Go to the "Alerts" page on the left

Support the marina expansion at Jake's Landing- Use our letter as a guide to file comments with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Click here

Go to the "News Page" to read:

• Lake Level up in spite of drought
• Coalition supports Jakes Landing expansion
• Crowding at Larry Koon Landing under review
• Will SCE&G pull the plug this summer ? 
• Will an endangered fish endanger the lake and the river?
• Apartment complex considered at Lake Murray Marina
• River Winds Landing seeks expansion of docking facilities
• Relicensing over-about
• Newberry marine officers work in spite of cutbacks

Click here for the latest lake level report

Click here to sound off on lake issues ... Should boaters be required to wear life jackets? 

Click here for information on how to "sound off" on proposed Apartment Complex

FERC- Final Evironmental Assessment rules in favor of river (click); Read FERC's analysis(click)

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 Lake Murray Boating Safety Survey

In May, two boating accidents claimed four lives. Since then the Lake Murray Homeowners Coalition has received numerous calls and emails complaining about boating safety conditions.  Consequently,  LMHOC and Lake Watch organized and facilitated a meeting between SC DNR, Senator Ronnie Cromer, his Research Director Douglas Ford and representatives from other interested lake groups.  DNR’s Chief of Law Enforcement, Colonel Alvin Taylor indicated his agency could not discuss the recent accidents because of the pending investigation. He did enlighten the groups on how the agency is currently dealing with safety issues in the face of  recent reductions in staff. On July 8th, the Coalition met with Newberry County Marine patrol officers to discuss upper lake issues.  LMHOC, Lake Watch, and the Lake Murray Fishermens Group filed a request with DNR for additional information including the numbers and causes of accidents, and the numbers and types of citations that have been issued over the past five years.  The Coalition is also conducting a boating safety survey.While hard copies were distributed to homeowners, an on-line version is available for all Lake Murray boaters. The on-line version can be accessed by clicking  the "Alerts" button on the left at the top of this page. The Coalition is also looking at how other states are addressing safety issues. A "Lake Murray Boaters Safety Commttee" will be formed to evaluate the data. The committee will be made up of survey participants who represent a cross section of boat users and views. Conclusions from the survey will be included in a report that will make recommendations on how to make Lake Murray safer now and in the future. The report will be posted on this website. Click here to read the lastest Lake Murray News article on this subject. Click on to the Alerts button to fill out the survey.

 Lake Murray homeowners are a very unique and special interest group.   As residents, our quality of life and property values are impacted by how the lake and its resources are managed now and in the future. On the average, we utilize the lake's resources much more than the casual visitor. We act as primary caretakers and stewards of the lake, and represent the first line of defense in protecting water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, aesthetic values and concerns about unsafe conditions. Our strong pro-active participation in on-going decision making processes will ensure that future generations will continue to enjoy this resource as we do today.  

LMHOC in action

• Lobbying government officials on issues that affect Lake Murray homeowners
• Active member of SCE&G's relicensing team
• Pushing for higher winter lake levels
• Facilitate meetings with S.C. officials to implement stricter development standards
• Water quality monitoring
• Providing oversight and monitoring of lake management and operations
• Providing access to quality legal resources
• Monitoring and addressing shoreline construction permits
• Resolving disputes between lake management and homeowners
• Addressing storm water pollution issues, zoning and other development issues
• Advocating aggressive nuisance weed control
• Addressing property tax issues
• Providing an Informative website

Chairperson Bertina Floyd discusses water allocation issues with Senators Jake Knotts and Ronnie Cromer.  From left to right,  Bertina Floyd-Chair, Senator Jake Knotts, Senator Ronnie Cromer, and Cynthia Sando-Treasurer. Also attending were Eddie Richardson and Steve Bell.

 Stormwater runoff causes concerns

 Residents along Owl Cove and Lazy Cove near White Rock became conerned when sediment  began  building up  in their coves due to stormwater runoff from construction activities at Foxport and Lakeport subdivisions.  Cynthia Sando  was convinced that almost 3 feet of  sediment had built up in front of her dock. Cheryl Nulman who lives on Lazy Cove Rd. and draws her drinking water from the lake said she was unable to use her tap water due to the muddy conditions after heavy rains. Residents were  also concerned that the coves  would not be able to absorb pollutants washed from the large sub-divisions upstream of the lake after construction was completed.  The Coalition facilitated a meeting between DHEC, county officials and the Mungo Company to present the community concerns about polution and sediment build up. After  hearing from residents , the Mungo Co. voluntarily agreed to install risers in the storm water system to slow down water movement during heavy rains.                             

 Coalition represented homeowners in the relicensing process

 It's time to bring lake management into the 21st century. LakeMurray is part of the Saluda River Hydro Project which was built in the late 1920's as part of a comprehensive plan to develop and improve a public waterway. SCE&G owns and operates the hydro generating facility and manages the lake and shoreline other public resources under a license granted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). SCE&G has applied for a new 30 to 50 year license. The LMHOC  represented homeowners' interest in that process. The Coalition pushed for  lake levels no lower than 356',  preservation of federally controlled  lands that had been identified  as having high natural resources values, and banning "mega" marinas in cove areas.

 Co-Chairperson- Bertina Floyd- Ph. 345-1051, lmhoc@sc.rr.com         

Secretary - Steve Bell , Ph. 730-8121 , lmhoc@yahoo.com

Treasurer- Cynthia Sando

Mailing address- POB 181, Chapin, SC 29036 

Board Members-  Bertina Floyd,  Steve Bell, Cynthia Sando, George Duke, Bill Jackson, Eddie Richardson, Dee Dee Simmons, Clark Weber, Mike Sloan

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