Use the Lake Murray station
USGS station 02168500 is Lake Murray Near Columbia, SC. The official station notice says monitoring equipment was moved because of construction and only stage readings will be collected until the equipment returns to its original location.
A water-temperature value may not be available. We do not substitute an air temperature, another lake’s reading or a historical seasonal estimate.
Keep the datum with the number
A station reading describes water level relative to its stated measurement reference. Do not assume a stage reading is water depth at your boat, and do not compare it with a full-pool number that uses a different datum.
The conditions panel retains the source’s measurement label, observation time and available unit. A missing reading is shown as unavailable rather than zero.
Check the forecast for your trip
Consult the National Weather Service forecast, active warnings and the sky around you before departure and during the trip. Allow for changing wind, visibility and thunderstorms.
The Lake Murray map and conditions panel are planning aids, not a navigational chart, a water-quality assessment or a guarantee of safe passage. Follow posted restrictions and local official guidance.
Original sources
Checked 2026-11-12. Linked pages can change after review.