Most of the access to open water with unobstructed wind is private, however. The only public launch site likely to have wind is on the north side of the dam, with a large public parking area, a boat ramp, and picnic tables. Westerly and southwesterly breezes blow several miles down the lake before reaching the dam, so swells are not uncommon in strong wind. Northwest and northerly winds cannot be sailed from this site. South wind is uncommon but can be sailed here.
Easterly winds are very difficult to sail on any part of Lake Murray.