Lake Murray vs. Lake Keowee

Kare

Kare

New Member
Aug 14, 2007
14
Greenville, SC
Boat Info
1990 3288 MY
Engines
2x Ford 351 IB
I live in Simpsonville, just east of Greenville SC and am considering both of these lakes. I do not trailer and would rent a slip. Keowee is 1 hr 12 mins away and nearest marina on Murray 1 hr 30 mins away, so distance doesn't rule out either. I have checked with a few marinas and they all have uncovered slips available. I would like to hear from people who have tried one or both lakes to get the pro's and con's. It seems to me Murray is a bigger and also a lot busier lake with more marinas and restaurants. I suspect the water at Keowee might be a bit cooler and clearer. If you had to choose one lake over the other, what would be your choice?

Kare
 
Can't speak about Murray. I was very impressed with Lake Keowee. Very Clean and the south end had warm water. The north end with the mountains and waterfall was almost like a different lake. Did you see the pictures from our last CSR trip to Keowee?
 
Lake Murray is a very nice lake, we had a group of Sea Ray owners there several years back when the water level was way down low. There are still some nice quite coves to anchor in for some quiet time. It is a fairly large lake, we pulled out one morning and took a scenic cruise all over the lake and covered close to 100 miles that day. We saw a lot of nice scenery, some very nice homes on the water, anchored in a cove for lunch and a cool off swim since it was in July and rather warm. I am going to go back one day, it is about a 3 1/2 hour run for me but worth the trip.
 
I grew up in Simpsonville (Holly Tree) and have boated considerably on both. My perception is that Murray is a bigger lake with lots of things to do, BUT, the water begins to get a little warm (read bath water) around mid July. The boating season is probably a little longer just due to it being a little further from the mountains.

Keowee is a great little lake. Water stays cooler longer and the water level is generally maintained to the detriment of Jocassee and Hartwell mainly b/c of Oconee Nuke Station. Also, depending on the size of your boat, its usually not too bid a deal to go and explore the other two lakes - Jocassee is beautiful and the water is crystal clear and cool year 'round.

That's my two cents...
 
Thanks for your comments, guys. Chuck, yes I did see the pics from Keowee. I been up to and around lake Keowee, but not on the lake. I like the scenery up there, but as Marvin points out the season might be a little shorter just due to the location. I know it gets hot around Columbia mid-summer. I haven't been to lake Murray and plan to scope out two marinas there before I make a decision. Right now I'm leaning towards Murray, because of the size and slightly warmer climate. Does the lake level at Murray ever go really low or are there reasons to keep it near normal? My boat is currently at Hartwell which is about 19 ft below full pool.
 
Kare,

Lake Murray has about 52,000 acres. Current lake level is about 355' above sea level. Normal full pond is about 358' ASL. The lake is owned by SCE&G and they did a great job this past summer of keeping the lake levels in the 357'-358' level from April to August. The final phase of the dam remediation project was completed several years ago. During this time the lake was dropped to 345'. Both of our large marinas (Lake Murray Marina and Light House) remained in operation. Even at this level the lake remains quite boatable. As of this year normal winter pool is suppose to be 354' ASL. This is a deep water lake and it's not uncommon to see depths greater than 70'. You will generally see ranges from 30' to well over 120'. Shoals are well marked. Murray is subject to droughts just like Wiley and Hartwell. However, I have never seen the lake down more than 8' due to these conditions and I have been boating on Murray since '94.

The two marinas I would consider are Lake Murray Marina and Light House Marina. Both have restaurants and Light House has a patio/deck bar/grill called the Quarter Deck. Both marinas are located within about five minutes (drive by car) of each other.

Light House Marina has more amenities and is the nice of the two. It also has more of a party scene on the weekends. Its covered docks also comply with current floatation requirements. However the slips are "double slips".

Lake Murray Marina has more total slips and similar amenities, less the dry stack. However, this marina is older and is not nearly as well kept. THe covered slips are still supported by the old open cell foam flotation. The slips are true singles with fingers on either side of your boat. LMM's no wake zone is much larger than that of Light House. So, it will take you an additional three - four minutes or so to "taxi" out.

The east end of the lake is more populated than the west end. However this is changing and there is now quite a bit of traffic towards Dreher, the state park, and points west. There is also a restaurant and grill called Spinners on the west end. It's nice for the kids as it has a nice sandy beach for them to play on and it's not quite as busy as Light House.

The lake can be quite warm in July. It's not uncommon to see water temps in the upper 80's to low 90's during July. A covered slip would definitely be a plus in my opinion.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.
 
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We have had a covered slip at Lighthouse Marina for the past 3 years and I can't say enough great things about the Marina staff and it's over-all ammenities. I suggest you call Stan Jones, Marina Manager at Lighthouse and check em out.
 
SR and lm - thanks for your comments. I visited both Lake Murray Marina and Lighthouse a week ago and agree with your comments. Right now my boat is in a storage yard getting it ready and I hope to move if by mid December.
 
Kare, look forward to seeing you on lake murray, we boat there frequently, there are alot of neet places to visit as well as hang out for the dayor the weekend on this lake. You will love it. Nicky
 
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