The Lake Lanier Story

When looking over Lake Sidney Lanier, the wide stretch of water seems gigantic. The shimmering waters do, in fact, touch five counties in Georgia: Forsyth, Dawson, Lumpkin, Hall, and Gwinnett. The lake covers 38,000 acres that were once rolling farmland. Although visitors may find it difficult to believe that this area was ever anything but a lake, Lake Lanier has existed for only a short time. Let's examine the creation of this lake, and how it affects our lives today.

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BEGINNINGS

Before World War II, the rivers that went through western and northern Georgia seemed to accommodate the population's water needs. But as times changed and more people moved into the area, this was no longer the case. A growing population became more concerned about the effects of flooding, water supply, power production, and transportation. It was obvious that the Chattahoochee River was a valuable natural resource that should be more fully utilized to provide for the population's increasing need.

In 1946, Congress authorized a development program to put the river to work for our benefit. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was directed with the task to design and build a series of dams and lakes along the Chattahoochee River. This river starts in northern Georgia, flows southward along the Alabama and Georgia state line, then travels into Florida where its name changes to the Appalachicola and it eventually empties into the Gulf of Mexico.

The Corps' plan called for the construction of five dams along the Chattahoochee. Buford Dam would be located the farthest upstream in the headwaters area where the river is born. As the Chattahoochee then flows southward, it would be dredged, beginning in Columbus, Georgia, so boats could navigate from there to the ocean. Along the way a series of locks, dams, and lakes would be constructed so that boats could move freely up and down the river.

Planning for Buford Dam and Lake Lanier began in earnest in 1950 when some 58,000 acres of land were acquired for the project. Although mostly rural farmland, it was no easy task dealing with thousands of landowners whose land would be flooded by the lake. For the lake's 540 miles of shoreline, workers cleared 14,000 acres of forests. During this process buildings along the shoreline were removed and in some cases even gravesites were relocated to areas away from the lake. Buildings, trees, and other structures that would be covered with many feet of water were left standing and remain so, underwater, today.

Construction of Buford Dam and the three smaller adjacent dams called saddle dikes began in 1953. They were built of raw earth instead of concrete to keep costs low. The main dam is 192 feet high and 2,360 feet long. The total length of the saddle dike system is 6,600 feet. On the west side of the main dam a large concrete building called the Powerhouse was constructed in a depression excavated from solid rock. Completed in 1956, the Powerhouse contains the machinery necessary to produce electricity and to regulate the flow of water released from the lake back into the Chattahoochee River. Although construction of Buford Dam and Lake Lanier was essentially completed in 1956, it took 2 more years for the lake to fill up with water. When full, the authorized purposes including power production, water supply, navigation, and flood control could be fully realized.

POWER PRODUCTION

The energy produced at Buford Dam would supplement the overtaxed systems already in use. Although a small power producer, the three generators located in the powerhouse can produce a total of 86,000 kilowatts of clean, non-polluting hydroelectric power. That's enough electricity to supply 25,000 homes. But while the generators can be started at a moment's notice, the electricity produced cannot be stored. The energy must be used as it is made, or it will be lost. Today, power is produced at Buford Dam mainly during peak use times, such as late afternoon in the summer, when energy demands are high.

WATER SUPPLY

The new lake created by the dam would act as a source of drinking water and support industrial growth for over 3 million Georgians. Lake Lanier would become the primary water source for the metropolitan Atlanta area.

NAVIGATION

The machinery in the powerhouse acts like a giant valve in a water faucet to regulate water levels in the river as it leaves the lake and continues to flow southward. By doing this, rivers downstream can be controlled so that large boats and commercial barges can move easily up and down the lower Chattahoochee River.

FLOOD CONTROL

In times of heavy rainfall, the dam would hold back waters that could otherwise cause severe damage downstream. Buford Dam helps prevent millions of dollars worth of flood damage each year.

RECREATION*

Although not officially open to the public in 1957, it is estimated that some 255,000 people first visited Lake Lanier. Over the years recreation has grown by leaps and bounds to nearly 7 million visitors annually. Today recreation is an important benefit of the lake and must be considered in the lake's management. Seventy-six recreational areas have been developed around the lake under the direction of the Corps of Engineers. These include 49 parks operated directly by the Corps, 10 marinas, and Lake Lanier Islands. The remaining areas are leased to county and city governments such as the Boy Scouts. Lake Lanier is one of the most visited federally operated lakes in the Nation.

FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT*

Lake Lanier is a refuge for many species of wildlife, fish, and plants, some of which are endangered. The Southern Bald Eagle and the Peregrine Falcon are two examples of endangered species which take refuge around the lake. One of the many reasons that the Corps of Engineers protects the lake so fiercely is to preserve these fragile living things and their environment*

*Since the inception of Lake Lanier, these two purposes have been added.

The Corps' role in the management of Lake Lanier is far-reaching and includes a multitude of responsibilities that many times results in joint efforts with other federal, state, and local agencies. Some of the major responsibilities in managing the lake include:

Park Operation: The Corps operates 49 park areas around the lake including 9 campgrounds and 40 dayuse parks. The operation of these parks is a complex job and involves over 200 people. We also constantly review the operation and development of parks on the lake administered by state, county, and city governments.

Enforcement of Regulations: Corps park rangers enforce the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36. This set of rules and regulations governs how the public can use the lake and is intended to help ensure public safety and protection of the lake environment. Enforcement of boating regulations is a joint effort shared by rangers from the Corps of Engineers and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Public Education: Each year the Corps presents water safety and environmental awareness programs to thousands of school children. It is important to the Corps that our children know how to safely recreate round the water as well as the importance of protecting our environment.

Lakeshore Management: The Corps of Engineers is responsibile for managing Lanier's lakeshore in a manner that protects the environment while allowing a balanced use by the public. This involves public education, enforcement of regulations, and administration of a permit program that allows adjacent landowners to maintain facilities such as private boat docks on the lake. Approximately 7,500 boat docks are currently permitted by the Corps on Lake Lanier.

Water Quality: The protection of the lake's water supply is an important concern to the Corps of Engineers. Both the Corps and DNR are responsible for routinely testing the lake's waters and keeping a constant vigil for polluters.

Fish and Wildlife Management: The Corps of Engineers works closely with DNR and the U.S. Fish and ildlife Service to protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plant populations around the lake. Our efforts controlling lake levels help fish production, the enforcement of wildlife protection regulations, and the construction of nesting structures.

Commercial Operations: We review the operation and development of the marinas located on the lake. This includes inspecting the facilities for safety and ensuring that the best interests of the public are being served.

IN CLOSING

Lake Sidney Lanier and Buford Dam were built for the benefit of the public. This facility works to provide electric power, water, flood protection, and navigation while providing recreational opportunities to millions of visitors, as well as a sanctuary for fish, animal, and plant life. This is accomplished in a large part through the dedicated efforts of a variety of personnel employed by the Corps of Engineers at the lake including managers, park rangers, clerks, landscape architects, construction technicians, foresters, biologists, real estate specialists, and maintenance personnel.

HOW THE LAKE GOT ITS NAME

The lake was named after 19th century poet Sidney Clopton Lanier. He was a Georgia native who was inspired by the beauty of this area to write the poem, "Song of the Chattahoochee." Music and nature influenced him as much as his admiration for Romantic poets such as Tennyson and Scott. In 1972 he was honored by the U.S. Postal Service with a commemorative 8-cent stamp for his contribution to literature.

"Song of the Chattahoochee"
By: Sidney Clopton Lanier

Out of the hills of Habersham
Down the valleys of Hall,
I hurry amain to reach the plain,
Run the rapid and leap the fall,
Split at the rock and together again,
Accept my bed, or narrow or wide,
And flee from Folly on every side,
With a lover's pain to attain the plain,
Far from the hills of Habersham,
Far from the Valleys of Hall.

PURPOSES FOR LAKE LANIER

• Power Production
• Water Supply
• Navigation
• Flood Control
• Recreation
• Fish and Wildlife Management

LAKE LEVELS

The level of Lake Lanier is measured in feet above mean sea level. The full level of the lake is 1,071 MSL. At that level there are approximately 38,000 surface acres of water in the lake.

The lake level does not stay stable during the year because of the effects of drought, flooding, evaporation, and the need to release water to meet this and the other lake purposes. Over the years, the lake has gone down as low as 1052.66 MSL on December 24, 1981, and to as high as 1077.19 MSL on April 14, 1964.

POWER PRODUCTION

Buford Dam collects water runoff from a wide area in north Georgia, storing water in wet periods and releasing reserve water in dry periods. The dam is built over the original river channel with a water intake on the lake side and a powerhouse on the other side. Tunnels called "penstocks" carry the water from the lake into the powerhouse. The water then exits the powerhouse below the dam.

Electricity produced at Buford Dam is sent to preferred government customers with the remainder being purchased by Georgia Power under a contract with the Southeast Power Administration (SEPA).

LAKE LANIER TRIVIA

Q. What rivers feed into the lake?
A. The Chattahoochee and Chestatee.

Q. What counties border the lake?
A. Hall, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Dawson, and Lumpkin counties.

Q. What kinds of fish are found in the lake?
A. Spotted bass, white bass, large mouth bass, striped bass, channel catfish, yellow perch, walleye, and bream.

Q. How much did it cost to build both Buford Dam and Lake Lanier?
A. Approximately 45 million dollars, not including the cost of constructing the lake's recreation areas.