Editing Chapin, South Carolina (section)

===Lake Murray===
[[File:(120DPI)grayStateIcon.jpg|thumb|View of Lake Murray]]

Chapin is often referred to as the "capital of [[Lake Murray (South Carolina)|Lake Murray]]". On September 21, 1927, work on the dam for the [[Saluda River]] was started. The construction finished on June 30, 1930.<ref name="Lake Murray History"/> Chapin families who had lived on Chapin land for over 200 years had to sell and move to make room for the lake that was a result of the dam. The lake was to spread between Dutch Fork and Chapin, becoming {{convert|14|mi}} wide and {{convert|40|mi}} long.{{sfn|Bostain|1989|p=61}}

The earthen dam stands over {{convert|200|ft}} tall and runs {{convert|1.5|mi}} across. Lake Murray has over {{convert|500|mi}} of shoreline and covers approximately {{convert|50000|acre|sqkm}}.<ref name="Lake Murray History"/> The dam itself takes up {{convert|99|acre}}.<ref name=SCIWAY>{{cite web|title=Chapin, South Carolina|url=http://www.sciway.net/city/chapin.html|work=SCIWAY South Carolina's Information Highway|accessdate=November 3, 2011}}</ref> The nearest arm of the lake reaches within {{convert|0.5|mi}} of the town limits.

The dam on Lake Murray has been through many changes since it was originally built in 1927. In 1943 {{convert|3|ft}} were added to the dam's height to help flooding issues. Much later in the 1980s SCE&G added a sheet piling way on the lakeside of the highway again to help with flooding. This sheet piling way raised the height of the dam again.

The latest changes to the dam occurred in 2002 when the backup dam was built. The backup dam was built for more protection to withstand earthquakes. The backup dam is made of rock and concrete to withstand the weight of the water behind the dam if any damage were to occur to the existing dam.<ref name=SCE&G>{{cite web|title=Lake Murray History|url=http://www.sceg.com/en/my-community/lake-murray/history/|work=SCE&G A Scana Company|accessdate=September 29, 2011}}</ref>

Lake Murray is not only used to provide electrical power for surrounding areas, it brings boating activities to the area. Lake Murray offers many different types of boating opportunities in addition to recreational areas.  Today, the lake has recreational swimming, boating, skiing, fishing, and wake-boarding. The lake also holds fishing tournaments and is home to many kinds of wildlife. Lake Murray is known for its [[purple martin]]s, [[striped bass]], and [[great blue heron]].<ref name="Lake Murray Fun">{{cite web|title=Find anything you need about Lake Murray RIGHT HERE!|url=http://lakemurrayfun.com/|work=Lake Murray Fun.com|accessdate=November 3, 2011}}</ref>