Lake Murray, SC

Columbia Boat Show

2012-02-07T13:18:00.000-05:00

February 10-12, 2012 at Columbia, SC Fairgrounds

The 49th Annual Boat Show will take place at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds, Friday through Sunday, February 10th – 12th. This year’s show will feature 12 area boat dealers and over 40 additional exhibitors.

The show will feature runabouts, sport boats, fishing boats, cruisers, personal watercraft, jet boats, and high-performance boats—everything from 12 to 30 feet will be ready to board and buy!

Admission: $6 adults; $2 under age 12

Columbia Boat Show Website

South Carolina Online Boating Course

Please be safe while boating on Lake Murray!

Columbia, SC Real Estate Market Information

2012-02-06T22:19:00.002-05:00

Summary of Columbia Real Estate: 2002 - 2011

I will continue to provide the most in market stats and summary information for Columbia real estate information. Soon, I will be providing market information by areas of Columbia to also include Lake Murray. So, keep watching my TWO blogs (this blog and my Columbia Blog) for the most complete market data.

CLICK: Summary of Columbia Real Estate
Sales, Prices, Days on Market

Lake Murray Water Elevation: January 2012

2012-02-04T08:35:00.000-05:00

The Lake Murray water level increased by just over one foot in January 2012. This is a normal increase as the lake level rises from a typical winter low in the range of 354-355 feet above sea level to a late spring-early summer high level of 358-359 feet above sea level.

On January 1, 2012, the lake level was at 355.35 feet elevation and ended the month at 356.42 feet.

Lake Murray elevation change - January 2012

Mel Coker
Lake Murray resident and Realtor
Lake Murray & Columbia, SC Real Estate
RE/MAX Metro Associates

Lake Murray water elevation, temperatures and more

2012-01-18T10:51:00.000-05:00

We're half way through our coldest month (historically) at Lake Murray. January has an average historical temperature of 44.05 degrees (average of daily high and low). On the other hand, sometimes in the coldest months of January and February, we can have very pleasant weather. For example, this coming Saturday, a high temperature of around 70 degrees is expected.

Also at this point, the lake level will begin to rise from a typical winter low of about 354-355 feet elevation to a spring/early summer high elevation of about 358-359 feet elevation (full pool is 360 feet elevation). The Lake Murray water level today is at 355.56 - up .25 feet from January 1st. Lake Murray's highest lake level runs from about early March to mid July (at or above 357 feet elevation).

Here is a chart with Lake Murray lake level elevations from February 1 - August 31, 2011:

Lake Murray Water Level Elevations
February 1, 2011 - August 31, 2011

For complete information on Lake Murray temperatures, lake level elevations, rainfall, weather forecast and water temperatures, visit my Lake Murray Environmentals website

Lake Murray was named a Top Ten Lake for Living and Boating by Boating Magazine in 2011! Want to live on or near Lake Murray? Contact Mel Coker, your Lake Murray Realtor.

Mel Coker
Lake Murray Resident & Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 223-6214
Lake Murray Real Estate
Lake Murray Website

William S. Murray - Namesake for Lake Murray

2012-01-09T20:10:00.000-05:00

William S. Murray, a New York engineer that had the final conception plan for Lake Murray and did much of the engineering of the hyrdo project, died on this day 70 years ago in New York City.

CLICK HERE to read the entire obituary in PDF format
(I secured this on a special request to The New York Times - image may not be reproduced)

Mr. Murray was very involved in the early electrification of the United States. He supervised the first high-tension electrification of a steam railroad; conceived and supervised an early Super-power Plan (mapped the power resources of the entire country); did engineering work on many other early electric generation projects; owned his own engineering firm and served on many important boards.

Portion of William S. Murray Obituary
from The New York Times - January 10, 1942

Several times in the 1800s, there were ideas or proposals to dam the Saluda River in the vicinity of the current Dreher Shoals Dam. Again, in the early 1900s, several sites were considered for a dam, including a Bear Creek site and also at the Dreher Shoals area. Finally, around 1925, Mr. Murray's firm, Murray and Flood, was retained to serve as supervisory engineer for the creation of a dam in central South Carolina. They initially examined an area on the Santee River but found that unworkable. Their studies found that a massive earthern dam on the Dreher Shoals site (about mid-way between Irmo and Lexington) would create a massive reservoir about 41 miles long and 14 miles wide at its widest point. The plan was approved on July 8, 1927 by the U.S. Army Chief of Engineers. Although there were many engineers involved in the massive project, William S. Murray was the most influential. The South Carolina General Assembly named the new lake, Lake Murray, in Murray's honor. The project was effectively completed on December 1, 1930 with the first delivery of hydro-electric power to Duke Power Company.

The State Newspaper headline for February 27, 1927: MAMMOTH HYDRO-ELECTRIC DEVELOPMENT TO RISE ON SALUDA RIVER, NEAR COLUMBIA

And, a newspaper report from August 4, 1930 stated that "Lake Murray, as that tremendous storage reservoir is know, was named by an act of the general assembly of the state of South Carolina, in honor of that distinguished engineer, William S. Murray, whose foresight, vision and tireless energy were responsible for the launching of the project."

Note the error in The New York Times obituary of January 10, 1942:
"... and in 1927-30 they engineered hyrdoelectric development of the Saluda River in North Carolina. This project included the erection of a huge dam, which formed a lake at one point 14 miles wide which the state of North Carolina named Lake Murray in honor of the engineer." Of course, Lake Murray is in central South Carolina.

Mel Coker on Lake Murray

Mr. Murray's work in the 1920s and early 1930s related to this new hydro-electric power reservoir is greatly appreciated today. Last year, Lake Murray was named one of the Top Ten Lakes in the United States for Boating and Living.

Mel Coker
Lake Murray Resident and Realtor
Lake Murray Real Estate
Mel's Lake Murray Website

2012 Real Estate Outlook

2012-01-08T16:12:00.000-05:00

RE/MAX 2012 Top 10 Housing Predictions

Dave Liniger, the RE/MAX Chairman and Co-Founder (along with his wife), talks about his Top 10 Predictions for 2012. He also discusses his ideas on how to speed up the recovery. Take 3 minutes (and 16 seconds) to watch this interesting video.

CLICK HERE: Dave Liniger's Top 10 Predictions for Real Estate in 2012

Mel Coker
RE/MAX Realtor in Columbia, SC
RE/MAX Metro Associates
Columbia, SC real estate
(803) 223-6214 (office)

Lake Murray: 2012

2012-01-03T10:05:00.000-05:00

What's happening at Lake Murray in 2012?

March 22nd - Taste of Lake Murray
The Taste of Lake Murray is the sole fundraiser for the 4th of July Celebration on Lake Murray. Created 7 years ago, this event is designed to help raise the $100,000 necessary to produce the Annual 4th of July Celebration on Lake Murray, including a Boat Parade and 2 fireworks shows.

April 12-15th - FLW Outdoors National Collegiate Championship
FLW College Fishing is the country's largest tournament-fishing competition for college bass clubs.

June - Purple Martins Return to Doolittle Island
North America's first officially designated Purple Martin sanctuary is at Lake Murray! It's also one of the largest roosting sites in America.

June 30th - Lake Murray 4th of July Celebration and Fireworks Show
Annual boat parade and fireworks show - one of the largest in the Southeast!

September 29-30th - Oakley Big Bass Tour Event
The Oakley Big Bass Tour is the nation’s premier open big bass tournament series designed exclusively for amateur anglers. The tour is focused on the promotion of bass fishing and bass conservation at the amateur level.

December 1st - Lake Murray's 82nd Birthday!
At 7:00 a.m. on December 1, 1930, the first electric power - 10,000 kilowatts - was delivered to Duke Power Company. That's the reason Lake Murray was built and born... hydro-electric generation.

Mel Coker
Lake Murray Resident and Realtor
Owner & Webmaster for Lake Murray website and this blog
RE/MAX Metro Associates
Real Estate Website | email
(803) 318-2007

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T09:14:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year 2012 - from Mel Coker at Lake Murray, SC
Barbara and I are bringing in the New Year in Surfside Beach (SC), but, we will be back to Chapin on Monday to watch the Gamecocks play Nebraska in the Capital One bowl on ESPN.

Top New Year's Resolutions

Get Fit - Start working out / work out more
Save Money / More Responsible with Cash
Spend more and better family time
Quit smoking
Volunteer for community service
Eat better - less or no fried food and plenty of fruits/vegetables
Lose weight - Yes, Americans are typically too overweight
Better work/life balance
Get organized
Read more
Have more fun on Lake Murray

Got your resolutions figured out for 2012? I've set personal, health/exercise and real estate business goals.

Mel Coker

Lake Murray Historical Map

2011-12-29T22:06:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure to see and meet with Mr. Ed Fetner again today. Mr. Fetner, now retired, produced the Lake Murray Fishunt map for approximately 48 years. During his career, he worked in aeronautics and aviation related fields during World War II, mapping at the South Carolina Highway Department and finally retiring as the chief structural engineer at Wilbur Smith and Associates.

Ed Fetner with Lake Murray Then and Now Map Print

After he and a cousin got lost on Lake Marion in the early 1950's, he produced his first map - Lake Marion. Around 1952, he produced his first Lake Murray map and called his maps Fishunt after that. That map was the very first Lake Murray map produced for sale to the public. An interesting thing... I first met Mr. Fetner in the early 1960's when my father went to his Columbia home to buy an early edition Lake Murray map. He moved to Lake Murray in the early 1970's. Then, I met Mr. Fetner again a few years ago when I bought a supply of Lake Murray maps. He sold his Fishunt map business about 11 years ago.

Through the years, Mr. Fetner personally named a number of islands and prominent points on Lake Murray. He has received numerous recognitions and awards as a historian and cartographer, including Citizen of the Year by the Lake Murray Association. Writing historical articles has also been a favorite hobby as he has written numerous articles for local newspapers and other publications.

The special map I bought today is the Lake Murray Then and Now historical map. It's really cool and shows a former road (prior to 1927) going right through our Lake Murray home property that continued on across a Behr (Bear) Creek bridge and connecting in with Amicks Ferry Road. Want one? You can buy the historical Lake Murray Then and Now print or a framed print at Palmetto Fine Arts in Chapin.

Mel Coker

Lake Murray resident and Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 223-6214

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-28T18:20:00.000-05:00

A belated Merry Christmas! We were in Cancun for a vacation and arrived back in the USA just two days before Christmas, so I got behind a bit with my blogging. We had a very nice Christmas and I hope you and your family have had a nice Christmas season as well.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Barbara and Mel in Cancun - Dec. 20, 2011

Mel, Barbara and Kelly - Christmas Day 2011

Please keep following my blog in the New Year... 2012! Good stuff is on the way such as real estate reports, new home communities, Columbia news and events, energy savings ideas, an upcoming Mel Coker client/friend event, Lake Murray news and events, vacation ideas and much more.

Mel Coker
Columbia, SC Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 318-2007
email

Lake Murray Birthday!

2011-12-08T08:06:00.000-05:00

I missed this one a few days ago... the date I believe to be Lake Murray's Birthday: December 1st! Lake Murray is now 81 years old.

The work of clearing the site for the project was started in April 1927. The Saluda Hydroelectric Project was constructed between 1927 and 1930 by the Lexington Water Power Company, which merged in 1943 with South Carolina Electric and Gas Company (SCE&G). In July 1930, the reservoir reached an elevation of 298.5 feet.

Popular Mechanics Magazine - May 1931
(click for larger image size)

At 7:00 a.m. on December 1, 1930, the first electric power - 10,000 kilowatts - was delivered to Duke Power Company. Today, SCANA Corporation (parent company for SCE&G) owns Lake Murray and is responsible for the lake. Lake Murray was named for William S. Murray and The Dreher Shoals Dam is named for the Dreher family that owned land in the immediate area where this dam is built. So, the reason the lake was built, hydro electric production, was achieved on December 1st with the first hydroelectric output, the official beginning of Lake Murray's awesomeness!

When construction was finished on Lake Murray and the Dreher Shoals Dam, Lake Murray was the largest man-made lake in the world for power production purposes and Dreher Shoals Dam was the largest earthern dam in the world.

CLICK HERE for more information on Dreher Shoals Dam and Lake Murray

This year, Lake Murray was named one of the Top Ten Best Lakes in America for living and boating! Want to live on or near Lake Murray? Contact Mel Coker (a Lake Murray resident):

(803) 388-8011

email Mel Coker

Visit Mel Coker's website

The Dreher Shoals Dam is approximately 1.5 miles long and 213 feet high.

Lake Murray Realtor - Mel Coker

2011-11-21T20:58:00.000-05:00

Need a Professional Realtor for Lake Murray?
Contact Mel Coker - A resident of Lake Murray and life-long resident of the Greater Columbia area.

CLICK for my brochure

Start a Virtual Neighborhood

2011-11-20T07:25:00.000-05:00

I started a new neighborhood this past week and you can too! I started an online virtual neighborhood for the area where we live. It's a new internet technology available at http://www.nextdoor.com/ . Unfortunately, you can't visit my neighborhood because it's private and only available by invitation to those that acutally live in the neighborhood that I defined by property boundaries.

Want to be civic minded and a "good neighbor"? Start your own NextDoor.com neighborhood for your subdivision or neighborhood area. It's easy. I did it this week and got the word out by distributing flyers (available through the website), sending emails to folks I already knew and mailing a few postcards. The whole thing is FREE and there are free resources to help you get started. It will take time to build up the neighborhood, but, the first step is to just get started.
www.nextdoor.com/new

Here is an aerial view of my new neighborhood and color representations of those that have registered:

My "NextDoor.com" Virtual Neighborhood near Chapin, SC

Watch the video that explains NextDoor.com

There are 105 homes in our neighborhood and already I've seen at least two examples of people communicating and discovering new friends just down the street or across a lake cove as neighbors. At a minimum, this is a great neighborhood directory, but it can be much more: post service/business recommendations, post news/events and post items for sale or give-away, etc.

Mel Coker
Columbia, SC Real Estate
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 388-8011

Lake Murray Scenes - mid-November

2011-11-13T17:54:00.000-05:00

Scenes from Lake Murray this past past weekend...

Fishing on Lake Murray - November 2011

Beautiful Leaf Color!

Out on our Pontoon

Lake Murray Access Home For Sale - Chapin, SC

2011-11-09T08:44:00.003-05:00

NEW LISTING!

All Brick Home with Lake Murray Access (Chapin, SC)

CLICK HERE for more information

I've just listed for sale a beautiful home in Magnolia Key subdivision with easy Lake Murray access. This wonderfully maintained all brick home has 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 bathrooms. Other features include: gleaming hardwood floors in the foyer, great room, formal dining room and kitchen; kitchen has granite counters and gas stove cooktop and a breakfast area; central vac and much more. This home is priced right at $325,000. Call Mel Coker today for an appointment to see this home.

Enjoy the beautiful backyard oasis from the large (11'x15') screened porch or deck. The focal point of the backyard is the 16' x 32' in-ground pool. It's a wonderful home retreat for family fun.

Lake Murray - South Carolina's Beautiful Lake!

Easily enjoy LAKE MURRAY while living in this home - the community has a private boat ramp for homeowners only and there is boat storage in the community. Also, just 3 minutes away is the Timberlake Marina with reasonably price boat slip availability. Also, at this same location is Lake Murray's only golf course, Timberlake Country Club.

Lake Murray was named to the list of "Ten Best Places to Live and Boat" by Boating Magazine earlier this year. I personally can endorse this as I live on Lake Murray myself in the Chapin area. Lake Murray living is great! Visit my Lake Murray website for more information.

Need more information or wish to schedule an appointment? Call Mel Coker at (803) 388-8011 or visit my virtual tour for this home.

Mel Coker
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 388-8011
Columbia / Lake Murray Real Estate

Lake Murray Restaurants

2011-11-05T10:39:00.001-04:00

NEW! Lake Murray Restaurants Webpage

I'm a little late for this past summer season, but, I had to do appropriate research and I've just finished a Lake Murray Restaurants web page. The restaurants open on Lake Murray are always changing, but, I believe I have the most up-to-date information available on the Internet. (private clubs are not included)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MEL COKER'S LAKE MURRAY RESTAURANTS WEBPAGE

NEW! Lake Murray Restaurants Web Page

PLEASE try to support these restaurants. The economy is tough anyway and certainly during the slow season at the lake, these restaurants would surely appreciate you stopping by to support them. Pick one a month during this fall/winter to try. You can even drive (by car) there!
CLICK HERE for a listing in PDF format (be sure to call the restaurants to verify operating hours)

Mel Coker
Your Lake Murray Realtor!
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 388-8011
Lake Murray website | Mel Coker Real Estate

Extreme Makeover Home Edition Coming to South Carolina?

2011-10-07T11:03:00.002-04:00

Extreme Makeover Coming to South Carolina

"Move that bus!!!" may be coming to Columbia, SC very soon!

Due to my Internet marketing for Columbia, SC real estate, I've been contacted by the show producers seeking my help in finding someone whose home deserves an Extreme Makeover. Ty Pennington and his crew have been all across the map and they are ready to drive that famous bus into central South Carolina.

What does it take to be picked for an Extreme Makeover?

We are in search of deserving families and deserving people - people who have amazing strength of character and who put their own needs aside to help others. Whether it’s a mom, a soldier, a teacher, or a fireman, we think deserving families are families who inspire those around them. In addition, the producers are looking for families whose houses need major alterations or repair- homes that present serious problems for the family and affect the family's quality of life.
ACT Quickly!

The deadline: for nominations is October 14, 2011. BUT Don’t Delay! Please send story submissions as soon as possible!

CLICK HERE for more information

Mel Coker
Columbia SC Real Estate
(803) 223-6214
RE/MAX Metro Associates

Search For Lake Murray Homes Online

2011-10-03T10:45:00.000-04:00

Mel Coker's NEW Columbia MLS search site:
www.ColumbiaSouthCarolina.us

This new website has many features and an easy-to-use "Search Properties" feature. The "Quick Search" and "Search Properties" are both accessible from the front page of my new website. Use this feature to search for homes in Columbia, Irmo, Chapin, Lexington, Northeast Columbia and at Lake Murray.

If you want me to customize a homes search for you, please call or email and provide me with your home search criteria. I am a life-long Columbia resident and can use my experience to provide you with the best listings matching your needs. Ready to buy or relocate? Call Mel Coker today!

Mel Coker's new website: http://www.columbiasouthcarolina.us/

CLICK HERE to visit my new Columbia real estate website: http://www.columbiasouthcarolina.us/

Mel Coker
Realtor, CRS, ABR, GRI, e-PRO
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 388-8011

Lake Murray Pictures

2011-09-29T22:05:00.000-04:00

Recent pictures out on Lake Murray:

Mel's RE/MAX Balloon - September 18th

Cruisin' on the lake - September 18th

Sunset view from our deck - September 25th

Richland and Lexington County Sheriff's Helicopters at Lake Murray Association Meeting - Sep. 27th

RE/MAX balloon at Lake Murray

2011-09-19T23:00:00.000-04:00

I was out yesterday on my dock at Lake Murray with my personal RE/MAX balloon! I was unable to achieve a lift-off.

Mel Coker on Lake Murray with RE/MAX Balloon

Mel Coker
Lake Murray Realtor
RE/MAX Metro
(803) 388-8011
http://www.lakemurray-sc.com/

Mel Coker's Lake Murray and Columbia Real Estate Facebook Business Page

2011-09-18T15:25:00.000-04:00

I've opened a FACEBOOK Business Page for Columbia & Lake Murray Real Estate.

Please take a quick peek when you have a chance. CLICK HERE to visit my Facebook business page.

I would appreciate it very much if you will click the button on the page to "LIKE" my page. If you "LIKE" my page up until October 31st (and live in Lexington or Richland county), you will be eligible for my Longhorn Steakhouse gift card drawing. I will select two names at random to win a $25 Longhorn Steakhouse dining card. Winner will be posted on my new Facebook business page on or around November 1st.

Thank you.

Mel Coker
Lake Murray Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 388-8011
http://www.lakemurray-sc.com/
http://www.melcoker.com/
http://www.columbiasouthcarolina.us/
http://www.columbiasouthcarolina.com/

Coming Soon: Lake Murray Association Meeting

2011-09-15T22:05:00.002-04:00

Tuesday, September 27th at 6:30 p.m.
is the date for the next Lake Murray Association Public Meeting

Boat on Lake Murray? Fish on Lake Murray? Like Murray? YOU need to attend the next Lake Murray Association public meeting (the public is invited to attend for FREE). You also should consider joining the LMA while attending the meeting. Membership is only $15 per year. Join and you will be supporting the BEST Lake Murray organization supporting issues important to safety, recreation, lake levels, and water quality at Lake Murray. I've been a member since 1998!

The next meeting is: Tuesday, September 27th. The meeting will be held at Lighthouse Marina, located at 1925 Johnson Marina Road (located just past Ballentine). The meeting will feature Richland County Sheriff Leon Lotts and Lexington County Sheriff James Metts as speakers. FREE hot dogs and drinks will be provided and doorprizes will be given away. PLEASE make an effort to attend. Get there early to see law enforcement helicopters and boats. CLICK for Meeting Brochure

LEARN MORE about the Lake Murray Assocation: CLICK HERE!

Mel Coker

Lake Murray Resident and Realtor

RE/MAX Metro Associates

(803) 388-8011

Lake Murray is South Carolina's Beautiful Lake!

2011-09-15T20:26:00.000-04:00

Ready to BUY or SELL on Lake Murray?
Contact Mel Coker - RE/MAX Metro Associates:
(803) 388-8011
email: melcoker@remax.net

Coker's Return from Mexican Vacation!

2011-09-14T18:58:00.000-04:00

We're back home this week from our 19th Mexico vacation last week. This time, it was our 3rd stay in Playa del Carmen. We had a great vacation... fun and safe. Our Chapin next-door neighbors even accompanied us for this trip. Playa del Carmen is a rapidly growing resort destination about 45 minutes South of Cancun.

On the beach between The Royal Haciendas Resort and Playa del Carmen

Ready to snorkel at Akumal beach

On this trip, we were really busy with fun side excursions, including: a cave snorkeling trip; a snorkeling trip to Akumal to see tortugas (turtles) and stingrays; day trip to Cancun; trip to see the Mayan ruins at Coba; a trip into Tulum pueblo to eat and shop; and fun shopping in Playa del Carmen and Cancun. After getting a car rental at the Cancun airport, I drove approximately 480 miles in the Mayan Riviera.

We really like our Cancun/Playa del Carmen/Tulum vacations. If you have questions, or wish to get my suggestions, please feel free to contact me. We're looking at a return trip in February 2012. Join us!

CLICK HERE for my Animoto Video Slideshow

Coba's Main Pyramid: Nohoch Mul is 138 feet tall (a very steep climb!)

Watch the video:

Mel Coker
Columbia Realtor
RE/MAX Metro Associates
(803) 388-8011

Lake Murray Real Estate

2011-08-21T11:23:00.000-04:00

When you are ready to BUY or SELL at Lake Murray, contact Mel Coker.

Mel is a life-long Columbia area resident and currently lives on Lake Murray in the Chapin area. Mel knows Lake Murray real estate. CLICK HERE to view Mel's Lake Murray website

RE/MAX is #1 in real estate sales in the USA and internationally.
Mel Coker strives to provide the BEST real estate service in the Greater Columbia area.
Mel is the ONLY professional Realtor in Greater Columbia that holds all of these important real estate designations: CRS, ABR, GRI, SRES, e-PRO.

Call Mel Coker (803) 388-8011
Lake Murray & Columbia Real Estate website