Lake Lanier, Georgia
About Lake Sidney Lanier
Nestled in the foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains, Lake Sidney Lanier is named after the 19th century poet, Sidney Clopton Lanier, whose admiration for the area’s beauty inspired him to write his famous “Song of the Chattahoochee.”
Lake Lanier is impounded by the Buford Dam and extends up the Chattahoochee and Chestatee Rivers. It encompasses 38,000 surface acres and 690 miles of shoreline.
Lake Lanier touches seven Georgia counties: Dawson, Forsyth, Habersham, Hall, Gwinnett, Lumpkin and White. The confluence of the Chattahoochee and Chestatee Rivers and many creeks and streams provides a continuous flow of fresh water for the lake. As part of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint waterway system, this fresh water then becomes a source of drinking water for millions of Georgians. Internationally recognized for its resources, tourist attractions and beauty, Lake Lanier was the host venue for the 1996 Olympic Canoeing and Kayak events.
Under the management of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Lanier provides many services for the citizens of Georgia.
- Recreation: over 8 million people visit Lake Lanier’s 57 parks and 10 marinas annually to enjoy the recreational opportunities offered by the lake
- Water Supply: 60% of Georgians rely on water stored in Lake Lanier or downs the Chattahoochee River
- Economy: Lake Lanier generates $5.5 billion revenue annually for Northeast Georgia
- Flood Control: runoff waters from heavy rains are stored in the lake to prevent flooding downstream
- Fish and Wildlife: the US Army Corps of Engineers and the state of Georgia develop and manage programs to protect and enhance the lake’s fish and wildlife
- Hydroelectric Power: power generated for local electric companies
Founded in 1966, the Lake Lanier Association is the oldest volunteer group working to protect the high water quality as well as the Lake Lanier water levels and to preserve its valuable legacy for future generations.
