Need to Know: Oklahoma’s Cleanest Lake Lurking with Graves Beneath

Okay, okay - it's not as scary as it sounds. But how crazy is it that Oklahoma's clearest waters cover up a long-lived past.

Lake Murray in south-central Oklahoma covers 5,700 acres of land with spring-fed clear waters, making it the cleanest in the state. It has been perfect for swimming, boating, fishing - nearly all the ideal summer water activities any Oklahoman can think of. This beautiful body of water is, however, man-made.

As early as 1927, the construction of the dam that eventually would create Lake Murray began. From the very start, the project was going to be enormous - costing originally $20 million dollars and taking 3 years to complete.

For a lake the size it is today, combined with the area needed for the dam, approximately 100,000 acres were purchased from landowners to make the mission possible. At the time, land was bought between $15 to $45 an acre, according to the History of Lake Murray.

Before it was lake, the land housed homes, churches and what we're all here for: graves. According to lakemurraycountry.com, there were "about 193 graveyards" with "2,323 graves that needed to be moved." However, some families did opt not to relocate the graves and "there are monuments with these names listed."

Now, before you get too freaked out, keep in mind that Lake Murray is 102 feet deep, according to the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The graves lie at the bottom of the lake and there's no real chance you'll be grazing your foot against a grave, unless you take a deep dive with professionals.

The lake that was once the largest man-made lake in the country now has an array of activities, cabins, and history that visitors from all around can enjoy. Just make sure you wear your wet shoes.