Lake Marion
Locations
USA > South > South Carolina
Lake Marion: Description
The largest lake in South Carolina at an incredible 110,000 acres, Lake Marion straddles five state counties: Berkeley, Calhoun, Clarendon, Orangeburg, and Sumter. Created in 1942 in tandem with its sister reservoir, Lake Moultrie, the two lakes comprise over 174,000 acres and contain more than 6.5 million gallons of water.
The two lakes were built as part of the Santee Cooper Hydroelectric & Navigation Project, designed to create electricity by damming up the Santee River. The resulting lakes not only provide power, but they created an exceptional recreation area. Lake Marion boasts 315 miles of tree-dotted shoreline, combining with Lake Moultrie's 135 miles to give visitors and area residents 450 miles of lakeside playground to enjoy.
Fishing on the two lakes is an experience some anglers dream of. The lake's shallow swamps and blackwater ponds provide the ideal homes for many area fish. Year-round opportunities abound to catch some of the lake's record-breakers: 58-pound Channel Catfish, 2.2-pound Warmouth, 55-pound Striped Bass, 16.2-pound Largemouth Bass, 5-pound Black Crappie, and more have all been prizes of happy fishermen.
The perfect visit for nature loves, Santee State Park offers cabins and camping sites to provide a roof over your head after an enjoyable day at the lake. Situated on the banks of Lake Marion, the park sweeps out over 2500 acres and boasts hiking trails, picnic facilities, fishing piers, a marina, and public access to these cool, blue waters. So grab a drink, your beach towel, and head to the park to dip your toes in and enjoy the waters of South Carolina's largest lake and its sister, Lake Moultrie.
Lake Marion: Statistics
- Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed
- Area: 110,600 acres
- Shoreline length: 315 miles
- Normal elevation: 75 feet
- Mean depth: 13 feet
- Maximum depth: 50 feet
- Completion year: 1942
