Lake Moultrie

Lake Moultrie is the third largest lake in South Carolina. Created in the 1940s by a state utility project to dam the Cooper River, it covers more than 60,000 acres (240 km2). It provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including fishing.

Lake Moultrie
Sunset at Lake Moultrie from the southeast shore.
Lake Moultrie
LocationBerkeley County, South Carolina, United States
Coordinates33°18′N 80°3′W
Typereservoir
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area60,000 acres (240 km2)
Average depth18.7 feet (5.7 m)[1]
Max. depth75.46 feet (23.00 m) [1]

Location
Lake Moultrie (bottom right) and Lake Marion (top) from space

Lake Moultrie is located in Berkeley County, South Carolina. It is fed by the Cooper River through Lake Marion and a diversion canal.

Nearby towns include Moncks Corner, Bonneau, Cross, and St. Stephen.

Origin

Lake Moultrie was created in the early 1940s by the South Carolina Public Service Authority. It was formed by construction of Pinopolis Dam on the Cooper River, as part of a flood control and hydroelectric power project.[2] It covers about 60,000 acres (240 km2). It was named for Governor William Moultrie.[3] The reservoir or lake offers extensive recreational opportunities as well.

Fishing

Lake Moultrie offers a varied fishing environment. It has areas of shallow swamps, black water ponds, thousands of tree stumps and live cypress trees, as well as large open areas of water. This lake does not form ice in the winter.[4] A world record channel catfish weighing 58 lb (26 kg) was caught from this lake. The lake also holds the state record for black crappie (5 lbs).[5]

See also

References
  1. http://www.dnr.sc.gov/lakes/moultrie/description.html
  2. AAA Map: "North and South Carolina"
  3. "Lake Moultrie, South Carolina". SCIway.net. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  4. "History of The Santee Cooper Lakes". American Publishing. 1997. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  5. "Freshwater Fish Records for South Carolina". South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
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