Saluda Dam

Saluda Dam, officially called Dreher Shoals Dam, is a historic earthen dam on the Saluda River, about nine miles (15 km) west of Columbia, South Carolina. Construction began in 1927 and was completed in 1930, and for a time it was considered the largest earthen dam in the world, creating the man-made Lake Murray. The structure is used for flood control, drinking water supply, recreation, and hydroelectric power generation, with a plant that houses five Francis turbines. To improve safety, an additional concrete dam was built at the base of the original structure in 2005 to cushion against possible earthquake damage. Today, South Carolina Highway 6 crosses the dam, providing a quick connection between Lexington and Irmo. You can walk across the dam on a pedestrian path and see the imposing structure up close. The site is also known culturally, since the annual football game between the local high schools is often called the "Battle of the Dam."