Lake Lanier Reservoir

Lake Lanier is a large reservoir in northern Georgia formed by Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River; the dam and lake were completed in the mid 1950s. It serves multiple purposes including flood control, hydroelectric power and municipal water supply.

The lake is noted for extensive recreational infrastructure - dozens of public boat ramps, marinas and campgrounds support boating, sailing, water-skiing and shoreline parks. Shoreline development includes resorts and public beaches on Lake Lanier Islands, and anglers fish for largemouth bass and other warm-water species.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built Buford Dam and impounded the Chattahoochee to create the reservoir in the 1950s; management since has balanced recreation with water supply and flood-control operations. Over time the shoreline has been developed with private docks, marinas and public parks.

Geographically the reservoir lies in northeast Georgia, roughly 40-50 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta, straddling Hall, Forsyth and Gwinnett counties. The lake spreads across a largely rolling, forested Piedmont landscape.

• Surface area: About 38,000 acres (roughly 153 square kilometres) of surface water, making it one of the largest lakes in Georgia.
• Best time to visit: Peak season is summer when marinas, boat ramps and public beaches are busiest; many parks and campgrounds fill on holiday weekends.

What to See#

• Buford Dam: Major concrete gravity dam that created the reservoir; built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and controls the Chattahoochee River outflow for flood control, hydropower and water supply.
• Lake Lanier Islands: A developed peninsula and group of islands with marinas, parks and a resort complex that includes public beaches, a water park and event facilities.

Accessible by car from Atlanta (roughly 45-60 minutes depending on start point and traffic) via I-85 or I-985 and local highways leading to the lake’s marinas and parks. Public transit options are limited, so driving is the most practical choice.

• Weekdays in shoulder seasons (spring, fall) are less crowded at popular recreational areas.
• Watch for boating restrictions and speed limits enforced by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on some parts of the lake.
• If visiting near Atlanta, allow extra travel time - traffic can make the trip much longer than it looks on a map.