History of Lake Lanier in Timeline

Lake Lanier is a reservoir in northern Georgia, created in 1956 by the Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River and fed also by the Chestatee River. Encompassing 38,000 acres with 692 miles of shoreline at full pool (1,071 feet above sea level), its shoreline length is subject to the coastline paradox. Named after Sidney Lanier, a Confederate veteran and poet, it is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control and water supply. The lake's construction resulted in the loss of 50,000 acres of farmland, displaced over 250 families and 15 businesses, and necessitated the relocation of 20 cemeteries.

1946: Project Authorized

In 1946, Congress authorized the project to build Buford Dam, which would create Lake Lanier.

March 1, 1950: Ground broken on Buford Dam

On March 1, 1950, ground was broken on the Buford Dam project. This required abandoning a section of Georgia Highway 53 and Gainesville's Looper Speedway.

March 1950: Groundbreaking of the reservoir

In March 1950, groundbreaking began for the reservoir that would become Lake Lanier. This involved purchasing and flooding the remnants of Oscarville, displacing its residents.

June 1951: Funding Refusal

In June 1951, the House Committee on Appropriations refused to provide more funds for the Buford Dam project.

1955: Lobbying for funds

In 1955, Atlanta mayor William Hartsfield lobbied for $11 million more for the dam, stressing the importance of an adequate water supply for the growing city.

February 1, 1956: Lake Lanier began filling

On February 1, 1956, Lake Lanier began filling as the sluice gates of Buford Dam were closed.

1956: Completion of Buford Dam

In 1956, Lake Lanier was created with the completion of Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River, also fed by the Chestatee River. This project resulted in significant changes, including the destruction of farmland and displacement of families and businesses.

1956: Dam completion target date

In 1956, the Buford Dam was completed and opened on schedule after Congress approved additional funds.

October 9, 1957: Buford Dam Dedicated

On October 9, 1957, Buford Dam was dedicated in a ceremony officiated by several elected officials.

October 1957: Dam operation begins

In October 1957, Buford Dam began operation. Also in 1957, Morgan Falls Dam was raised to regulate flow from Buford Dam.

August 1, 1958: Lake Lanier reached full-pool level

On August 1, 1958, Lake Lanier reached its intended full-pool level, approximately one year later than initially expected due to droughts.

1962: Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority established

In 1962, the Georgia General Assembly established the Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority.

April 1964: Record High Water Level

In April 1964, Lake Lanier set its record high water level of 1,077.2 ft.

1974: Lake Lanier Islands resort complex opened

In 1974, the Lake Lanier Islands resort complex opened.

1975: PineIsle hotel opened

In 1975, PineIsle, a resort hotel, opened.

December 1981: Previous record low level

In December 1981, the previous record low water level was 1,052.7 ft.

1996: 1996 Summer Olympics

In 1996, the rowing and sprint canoeing events during the Summer Olympics were held on Lake Lanier.

2003: 2003 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships

In 2003, Lake Lanier hosted the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships.

December 2005: Gauge replaced

In December 2005, the lake gauge at the dam was replaced.

2005: PineIsle hotel closed

In 2005, PineIsle hotel closed.

June 2006: USACE reveals gauge miscalibration

In June 2006, the USACE revealed that the new lake gauge at the dam, replaced in December 2005, was not properly calibrated, leading to excess water releases.

October 16, 2007: Governor Perdue gives USACE deadline for water release plan

On October 16, 2007, Governor Perdue gave the USACE a deadline to create a plan for continued water release for Florida wildlife.

November 22, 2007: New record low water level

On November 22, 2007, Lake Lanier's water level reached a new record low of 1,052.34 ft.

December 26, 2007: Water level stabilizes at final low

On December 26, 2007, the water level stabilized around a final low of 1,050.79 ft at Buford Dam.

February 18, 2008: Water level rises above 1981 level

On February 18, 2008, the water level of Lake Lanier rose to 1,052.80 ft, exceeding the December 1981 level and ending the record-low phase of the drought.

December 8, 2008: Water level stabilized

On December 8, 2008, the water level of Lake Lanier stabilized around a final low of 1,051.00 ft.

2008: PineIsle hotel demolished

In 2008, the PineIsle hotel was demolished.

March 30, 2009: Drought declared over

On March 30, 2009, the drought was declared over by the climatologist of the state of Georgia, David Stooksbury.

May 2009: Water level rose

In May 2009, the water level of Lake Lanier rose to exceed 1,066 ft.

June 2009: Water level peaked

In mid-June 2009, the water level of Lake Lanier peaked at 1,066.71 ft.

July 2009: Federal judge ruling on water supply

In July 2009, a federal judge ruled that Congress never authorized Lake Lanier to be used as a water supply for metro Atlanta, giving Georgia three years to stop withdrawals.

October 2009: Lake Lanier returned to full pool

In mid-October 2009, after weeks of heavy rain, Lake Lanier returned to full pool.

2009: Major Flooding Event

In 2009, a major flooding event occurred downstream of Buford Dam, marking the most severe such event since the dam's construction.

June 2011: Appeals court reversed decision

In June 2011, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the 2009 district court decision and confirmed the USACE's authority to regulate Lake Lanier for Atlanta's water supply.

June 2012: Corps responds with plans

In June 2012, the Corps responded with plans for further analysis and evaluation of proposals from the three states.

2013: Flooding Event

In 2013, another flooding event occurred downstream of Buford Dam. This was one of only three major flooding events since the dam was built.

November 3, 2014: Supreme Court granted Florida leave to file complaint

On November 3, 2014, the Supreme Court granted Florida leave to file a complaint against Georgia.

June 2016: Severe drought in Forsyth County

In late June 2016, the southern parts of Forsyth County were experiencing severe drought conditions, leading to mandatory water use reductions.

2016: 2016 Pan American Sprint Canoe/Kayak Championships

In 2016, Lake Lanier hosted the Pan American Sprint Canoe/Kayak Championships.

2017: Margaritaville announced to take over Lake Lanier Islands Park

In 2017, Margaritaville was announced to take over Lake Lanier Islands Park.

2018: 2018 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships

In 2018, Lake Lanier hosted the ICF Dragon Boat World Championships.

2018: Margaritaville takes over Lake Lanier Islands Park

In 2018, Margaritaville took over Lake Lanier Islands Park.

April 1, 2021: Supreme Court dismissed complaint

On April 1, 2021, the Supreme Court dismissed Florida's complaint against Georgia, stating that Florida did not prove serious injury caused by Georgia.