Buford Dam
| Lake Lanier | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location | Georgia |
| Coordinates | 34°14′14″N 83°56′10″W / 34.23722°N 83.93611°WCoordinates: 34°14′14″N 83°56′10″W / 34.23722°N 83.93611°W |
| Type | reservoir, from 1956 |
| Primary inflows | Chattahoochee River, Chestatee River |
| Primary outflows | Chattahoochee River |
| Catchment area | 1,040 sq mi (2,700 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 37,000 acres (150 km2) 59 square miles |
| Max. depth | 156 feet (48 m) |
| Water volume | 1,049,400 acre·ft (1.2944 km3) |
| Surface elevation | 1,071 ft (326.4 m) summer 1,070 ft (326.1 m) winter |
Lake Lanier (officially Lake Sidney Lanier) is a reservoir in the northern portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created by the completion of Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River in 1956, and is also fed by the waters of the Chestatee River. The lake encompasses 38,000 acres (150 km2) or 59 square miles of water, and 692 miles (1,114 km) of shoreline at normal level, a "full summer pool" of 1,071 feet (326 m) above mean sea level. Named for American poet Sidney Lanier, it was built and is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control and water supplies. It is patrolled by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GDNR), as well as local law enforcement.
The states of Georgia, Alabama and Florida all have rights to the water of the reservoir, as it feeds rivers going through those areas. The Corps of Engineers has responsibilities to regulate flow for flood control and water use. In addition, it has to ensure that water is available to fulfill such federal mandates as under the Endangered Species Act, to support downstream species. The rapid suburbanization of the Atlanta region, in particular, has greatly increased water consumption by private homeowners for lawns and gardens. During droughts of the 21st century, Lake Lanier reached record lows, and regional actions have been needed to reduce area water usage.
The lake is in Hall, Forsyth, Dawson, Gwinnett, and Lumpkin counties, split about 60%, 30%, 5%, 4%, and 1% respectively, filling the valley into numerous small arms and fingers. The former thalweg of the Chestatee and the Chattahoochee south of it form the county line between Hall and a corner of Gwinnett to the east, and Dawson and Forsyth counties to the west.
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