Locals looking to get their exercise walking across the Lake Murray Dam will have to get their steps somewhere else for at least a few days longer.

The state Department of Transportation announced June 23 that it was working with Dominion Energy, which operates the hydroelectric facility and is responsible for land use and shoreline management around Lake Murray, to repair a damaged portion of the walkway.

Part of the walkway will remain closed while the work is done, as will the right, southbound lane of S.C. Highway 6/North Lake Drive going across the dam. The thoroughfare is the main connecting road between Lexington and Irmo.

“A portion of the walkway remains closed,” DOT posted to social media June 26, noting that work on the walkway will continue this week. “The only access to the walkway is from the Lexington side of the path.”

The Lexignton side of the dam is home to the public beach to which Dominion offers access during the warmer months, as well as a parking area for those who come to use the dam walkway. The Irmo side of the dam also features a Dominion park, but one that offers a boat ramp and no swimming.

“Drivers are reminded to stay alert and drive cautiously through the work zone,” the department added. “We appreciate the patience of our community members while we work to complete this project.”

The work on the dam comes as the lake anticipates one of its biggest events of the year. The annual 4th of July Celebration put on by the Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board is slated for July 1, bringing an afternoon boat parade and evening fireworks show to the lake, with the Dominion Energy parks on each side of the dam serving popular viewing areas for the parade.

The fireworks are fired off from Dreher Island and Spence Island, not the Dominion parks near the dam, so Capital City/Lake Murray Country recommends viewing them by boat near the islands and by car near Dreher Island (noting Dreher Island State Park as a good option).

DOT didn’t offer a specific anticipated reopening date for the walkway or the southbound lane, only noting that the work will continue this week.