History of Lake Lanier in Timeline
Lake Lanier, a 38,000-acre reservoir in northern Georgia, was formed by the Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River in 1956. Fed by the Chattahoochee and Chestatee Rivers, it boasts 692 miles of shoreline at its full pool elevation of 1,071 feet above sea level. The lake, named for Confederate poet Sidney Lanier, serves flood control and water supply purposes under the management of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. However, its creation came at a cost, displacing over 250 families, 15 businesses, and 20 cemeteries, while submerging 50,000 acres of farmland.
1912: Racially Motivated Displacement of Oscarville Residents
In 1912, the town of Oscarville, which was located in the area that would later become Lake Lanier, was the site of a tragic lynching that resulted in the forced removal of its entire Black population by White residents.
1946: Congressional Authorization of the Lake Lanier Project
The Lake Lanier project, with an estimated cost of $1 billion (equivalent to $10 billion in 2023), was officially authorized by Congress in 1946.
March 1, 1950: Buford Dam Groundbreaking
The construction of Buford Dam, a key component in the creation of Lake Lanier, commenced on March 1, 1950.
1950: Groundbreaking and Displacement of Oscarville
The groundbreaking for Lake Lanier began in 1950, leading to the displacement of the Black community of Oscarville, which was located in the area designated for the lake.
June 1951: Funding Halt for Lake Lanier Project
The House Committee on Appropriations halted funding for the Lake Lanier project in June 1951 after an initial investment of over $2 million.
1955: Atlanta Mayor Secures Funding for Dam Completion
Atlanta Mayor William Hartsfield successfully lobbied for the reinstatement of funds for the completion of Buford Dam in 1955, securing an additional $11 million to ensure an adequate water supply for the burgeoning city.
February 1, 1956: Lake Lanier Begins to Fill
Lake Lanier started filling up on February 1, 1956, marking a significant step towards its operational status.
1956: Completion of Buford Dam
Lake Lanier was created in 1956 with the completion of Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River. This large reservoir, spanning almost 60 square miles, was built to manage flood control and provide water resources.
1956: Buford Dam Completion
The Buford Dam, a major infrastructure project, was successfully completed in 1956.
October 9, 1957: Buford Dam Dedicated
The Buford Dam was officially dedicated on October 9, 1957.
October 1957: Buford Dam Operational
Between June and October of 1957, the Buford Dam became operational, demonstrating its ability to control flooding and regulate water flow.
August 1, 1958: Lake Lanier Reaches Full Pool
Lake Lanier reached its full capacity on August 1, 1958, signifying the completion of its filling process and its readiness to serve its intended purposes.
1962: Georgia General Assembly Establishes Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority
Recognizing the potential of the Lake Lanier Islands, the Georgia General Assembly took a proactive step in 1962 by establishing the Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority to oversee and promote tourism in the area.
April 1964: Record High Water Level
Lake Lanier experienced its highest recorded water level in April 1964, reaching an elevation of 1,077.2 feet, highlighting the potential for extreme water level fluctuations.
1974: Lake Lanier Islands Resort Complex Opens to the Public
The Lake Lanier Islands resort complex, featuring a resort hotel, water park, and golf course, began welcoming visitors in 1974, marking a significant development in the area's tourism industry.
1975: PineIsle Hotel Opens at Lake Lanier Islands Resort Complex
Adding to its growing reputation as a resort destination, Lake Lanier Islands saw the opening of its second resort hotel, PineIsle, in 1975.
December 1981: Previous Record Low Water Level
In December 1981, Lake Lanier experienced a record low water level, which stood as a benchmark for drought conditions until it was surpassed in 2007.
December 1981: Record Low Water Level
The record low water level experienced in December 1981 served as a critical reference point for assessing the severity of future droughts impacting Lake Lanier.
1996: Lake Lanier Hosts Rowing and Canoeing Events During the 1996 Summer Olympics
The north end of Lake Lanier was chosen as the venue for rowing and sprint canoeing events during the 1996 Summer Olympics, showcasing the lake's suitability for international water sports.
2003: Lake Lanier Hosts 2003 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships
In 2003, Lake Lanier was chosen to host the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, demonstrating its continued recognition as a premier venue for international water sports competitions.
December 2005: New Lake Gauge Installed
A new lake gauge was installed at Lake Lanier in December 2005 to improve the accuracy of water level readings and better manage the lake's resources.
2005: Closure of PineIsle Hotel at Lake Lanier Islands
After three decades of operation, the PineIsle Hotel at Lake Lanier Islands closed its doors in 2005.
June 2006: Lake Lanier Gauge Miscalibration
In June 2006, it was revealed that Lake Lanier's new water level gauge, installed in December 2005, had been improperly calibrated, resulting in inaccurate readings and the release of billions of gallons of excess water.
October 16, 2007: Water Release Dispute
On October 16, 2007, a dispute arose between Georgia and Florida over the release of water from Lake Lanier, highlighting the interstate tensions and ecological concerns surrounding the management of shared water resources.
November 22, 2007: New Record Low Water Level
Lake Lanier reached a new record low water level on November 22, 2007, surpassing the previous low set in December 1981 and raising serious concerns about the ongoing drought's impact on water supply.
December 26, 2007: Water Level Stabilizes After Record Low
The water level in Lake Lanier stabilized on December 26, 2007, offering a glimmer of hope after weeks of receding water levels.
2007: Severe Drought Impacts Lake Lanier
The severe drought in 2007 had a significant impact on Lake Lanier, leading to record low water levels and prompting concerns about water availability in the region.
2007: Record Low Water Level
The record low water levels experienced in Lake Lanier in 2007 highlighted the vulnerability of water resources to drought conditions and spurred discussions about water management strategies.
February 18, 2008: Lake Lanier Water Level Rises Above 1981 Low
On February 18, 2008, after a period of winter rains, Lake Lanier's water level rose above the record low set in December 1981, signaling a potential end to the drought crisis.
December 8, 2008: Low Water Level at Lake Lanier
By December 8, 2008, Lake Lanier's water level had stabilized but remained low, indicating the persistence of drought conditions and the need for continued water conservation efforts.
2008: Drought Conditions Impact Lake Lanier
Lake Lanier faced the impacts of drought conditions in late 2008, resulting in low water levels and emphasizing the importance of water conservation measures.
2008: Demolition of the Former PineIsle Hotel at Lake Lanier Islands
Three years after its closure, the former PineIsle Hotel at Lake Lanier Islands was demolished in 2008.
March 30, 2009: Drought Declared Over
On March 30, 2009, Georgia's state climatologist declared an end to the drought that had plagued the region, citing improved soil moisture, stream flows, and reservoir levels.
May 2009: Lake Lanier Water Level Rises
The water level in Lake Lanier showed signs of recovery in May 2009, rising to a level exceeding 1,066 feet as a result of increased rainfall and improved water inflow.
June 2009: Lake Lanier Water Levels Continue Rising
In June 2009, Lake Lanier's water levels continued their upward trend, reaching a peak of 1,066.71 feet, demonstrating the impact of sustained rainfall on the lake's recovery.
July 2009: Federal Judge Rules Against Lake Lanier as Primary Water Source for Atlanta
In July 2009, a federal judge ruled that Congress never intended for Lake Lanier to be Atlanta's primary water source, throwing the region's water supply into question. The ruling gave Georgia a limited time frame to find alternative solutions or face drastic water restrictions.
October 2009: Lake Lanier Returns to Full Pool
After a prolonged period of drought, Lake Lanier made a significant recovery, returning to its full pool level in mid-October 2009 due to heavy rains in North Georgia.
2009: Initial District Court Ruling Impacts Lake Lanier's Water Usage
In 2009, a district court decision significantly impacted the management and usage of Lake Lanier's water resources.
2009: Severe Flooding After Drought
In 2009, after experiencing a two-year drought, the area downstream of Lake Lanier experienced significant flooding, highlighting the ongoing challenges of balancing water control measures.
June 2011: Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals Overturns 2009 Ruling on Lake Lanier
In June 2011, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the 2009 district court decision, confirming the USACE's authority to regulate Lake Lanier for Atlanta's water supply.
2011: Record Low Water Levels in Lake Lanier
In 2011, Lake Lanier experienced some of its lowest recorded water levels, raising concerns about drought conditions and water management strategies.
June 2012: USACE to Analyze Proposals for Lake Lanier's Water Use
Following the June 2011 ruling, the USACE announced plans in June 2012 to review proposals from Georgia, Florida, and Alabama regarding the use of Lake Lanier's water.
2012: Continued Low Water Levels
The low water levels in Lake Lanier persisted into 2012, highlighting the severity of the drought and its impact on the region's water resources.
2013: Florida Initiates Legal Action Against Georgia Over ACF Basin Water Apportionment
In 2013, Florida filed a lawsuit against Georgia in the Supreme Court, seeking a fairer distribution of water resources within the ACF Basin.
2013: High Water Levels in Lake Lanier
Lake Lanier's water levels reached record highs in 2013 due to substantial rainfall and flooding in north Georgia, demonstrating the lake's susceptibility to fluctuating weather patterns and the challenges of water management.
2013: Recent Flooding
The Lake Lanier area experienced more recent flooding in 2013, emphasizing the importance of the dam for flood control in the region.
November 3, 2014: Supreme Court Allows Florida's Complaint on ACF Basin Water Usage
On November 3, 2014, the Supreme Court granted Florida leave to file a complaint against Georgia regarding the equitable apportionment of water in the ACF Basin, which includes Lake Lanier.
June 2016: Drought Leads to Water Restrictions
By June 2016, parts of Forsyth County faced severe drought conditions, prompting mandatory water use reductions to conserve the dwindling water supply in Lake Lanier.
2016: Lake Lanier Welcomes the 2016 Pan American Sprint Canoe/Kayak Championships
Lake Lanier further cemented its status as a significant water sports destination by hosting the 2016 Pan American Sprint Canoe/Kayak Championships.
2017: Margaritaville Announced as New Operator for Lake Lanier Islands Park
In a major development for Lake Lanier Islands, Margaritaville was announced as the new operator for the park in 2017, signaling a shift in the resort's offerings and target audience.
2018: Lake Lanier Hosts the 2018 ICF Dragon Boat World Championships
In 2018, Lake Lanier hosted the ICF Dragon Boat World Championships, highlighting its versatility and suitability for a wide array of paddling sports.
2018: Margaritaville's Takeover of Lake Lanier Islands Park
The transformation of Lake Lanier Islands Park under Margaritaville's management commenced in 2018, bringing a new era to the popular leisure destination.
April 1, 2021: Supreme Court Dismisses Florida's Complaint Against Georgia on ACF Basin Water Usage
The Supreme Court dismissed Florida's complaint against Georgia on April 1, 2021, ruling that Florida had not demonstrated significant harm caused by Georgia's water usage.