History of Lake Lanier in Timeline

Lake Lanier is a reservoir in northern Georgia, created by the Buford Dam's completion on the Chattahoochee River in 1956. Fed also by the Chestatee River, it covers 38,000 acres with 692 miles of shoreline at full pool (1,071 feet above sea level). Named after Sidney Lanier, it's managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control and water supply. Its construction resulted in the destruction of over 50,000 acres of farmland, displacing 250 families and 15 businesses, and the relocation of 20 cemeteries.

1946: Project Authorized by Congress

In 1946, Congress authorized the project to construct Lake Lanier, with an estimated cost of $1 billion (equivalent to $10 billion in 2023).

March 1, 1950: Ground broken on Buford Dam

On March 1, 1950, ground was broken on the Buford Dam project, which had been authorized by Congress in 1946. A stretch of Georgia Highway 53 and Gainesville's Looper Speedway had to be abandoned due to the planned shoreline.

March 1950: Groundbreaking of the reservoir

In March 1950, prior to the groundbreaking of the reservoir, the town of Oscarville, a Black community and the site of a racial expulsion where all 1,098 Black residents were forcibly displaced, occupied a part of the current location of the lake. The remnants of the town were purchased by the government and flooded to create the lake.

June 1951: Funding Refusal by House Committee

In June 1951, the House Committee on Appropriations refused to provide more funds for the project after more than $2 million (equivalent to $19 million in 2023) had been spent on preliminary construction. Atlanta mayor William Hartsfield traveled to Washington to lobby for funding restoration.

1955: Hartsfield Lobbying for Funds

In 1955, Atlanta mayor William Hartsfield returned to Washington to lobby for $11 million (equivalent to $94 million in 2023) more for the dam, with a target completion date of 1956. He stressed the importance of an adequate water supply for Atlanta, and Congress approved the funds.

February 1, 1956: Lake Lanier Begins Filling

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

1956: Completion of Buford Dam

In 1956, Lake Lanier was created by the completion of Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River. The construction of the lake resulted in the destruction of over 50,000 acres of farmland and the displacement of more than 250 families, 15 businesses, and the relocation of 20 cemeteries.

1956: Dam Completion and Opening

The Buford Dam was completed and opened on schedule in 1956 after Congress approved funds lobbied for by Atlanta mayor William Hartsfield.

October 9, 1957: Buford Dam Dedication

On October 9, 1957, Buford Dam was dedicated in a ceremony officiated by U.S. Senator Richard B. Russell, Georgia Governor Marvin Griffin, and Atlanta mayor William B. Hartsfield.

October 1957: Dam Begins Operation

Between June and October 1957, Buford Dam began operation. Morgan Falls Dam, downstream, was raised to regulate the flow from Buford Dam and regulate the flow of water to Atlanta.

August 1, 1958: Lake Lanier Reaches Full-Pool Level

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

1962: Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority Established

In 1962, the Georgia General Assembly established the Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority to promote tourism development on the islands.

April 1964: Record High Water Level

The record high water level for Lake Lanier is 1,077.2 ft (328.3 m), set in April 1964.

1974: Lake Lanier Islands Resort Complex Opens

Lake Lanier Islands, a resort complex on the lake, opened in 1974. It includes a resort hotel called Legacy Lodge, a water park, and a golf course.

1975: PineIsle Hotel Opens

PineIsle, a second resort hotel at Lake Lanier Islands, operated from 1975 to 2005.

December 1981: Previous Low Water Level

In December 1981, Lake Lanier's water level reached a low of 1,052.7 ft (320.9 m), which was the record low until November 22, 2007.

1996: Summer Olympics Events Held on Lake Lanier

During the 1996 Summer Olympics, the rowing and sprint canoeing events were held on the north end of Lake Lanier.

2003: ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships

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

December 2005: New Lake Gauge Installed

In December 2005, a new lake gauge was installed at the dam; however, in June 2006, the USACE revealed that it was not properly calibrated, leading to the release of excess water.

2005: PineIsle Hotel Closes

The PineIsle resort hotel at Lake Lanier Islands closed in 2005.

June 2006: USACE Reveals Gauge Calibration Error

In June 2006, the USACE revealed that the new lake gauge at the dam, replaced in December 2005, was not properly calibrated, yielding a lake level reading nearly two feet higher than the actual level. As a result, nearly 22 billion U.S. gallons of excess water had been released.

October 16, 2007: Governor Perdue gives USACE deadline

On October 16, 2007, Governor Perdue gave the USACE until the evening of October 17 to create a plan for continued water releases for Florida wildlife. Senator Johnny Isakson threatened to sue the Corps of Engineers. Governor Perdue's attempts to reach an agreement with Florida failed, leaving the final decision to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

November 22, 2007: Record Low Water Level

On November 22, 2007, the water level of Lake Lanier reached 1,052.34 ft (320.75 m), setting a new record low. The previous low was set in December 1981.

December 26, 2007: Water Level Stabilizes at Record Low

On December 26, 2007, the water level in Lake Lanier stabilized around a final low of 1,050.79 ft (320.28 m) at Buford Dam. The day after Christmas, the water level began rising.

2007: Droughts

In 2007, Lake Lanier faced droughts, contributing to low water levels.

2007: Record Low Set in 2007

The water level of Lake Lanier in December 2008 stabilized slightly above the record set in 2007.

February 18, 2008: Water Level Rises Above Previous Low

On February 18, 2008, after winter rains, the water level of Lake Lanier rose to 1,052.80 ft (320.89 m), surpassing the December 1981 level and effectively ending the record-low phase of the drought crisis.

December 8, 2008: Water Level Stabilizes After Drought

On December 8, 2008, after a drought situation in late 2008, the water level of Lake Lanier stabilized around a final low of 1,051.00 ft (320.34 m) at Buford Dam, slightly above the record set in 2007.

2008: Rainfall During the Winter

After rainfall during the winter of 2008-2009, the drought was declared over.

2008: PineIsle Hotel Demolished

In 2008, the PineIsle resort hotel at Lake Lanier Islands, which had been operating from 1975 to 2005, was demolished.

March 30, 2009: Drought Declared Over

On March 30, 2009, the climatologist of the state of Georgia, David Stooksbury, declared the drought over, noting improved soil moisture and stream flows. However, he mentioned Lake Lanier as a remaining concern.

May 2009: Water Level Rise

In May 2009, the water level of Lake Lanier rose to exceed 1,066 ft (325 m).

June 2009: Water Level Peak

In mid-June 2009, the water level of Lake Lanier reached a high of 1,066.71 ft (325.13 m).

July 2009: Federal Judge Ruling on Water Usage

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 withdrawing water from the lake (except for Gainesville and Buford) unless Congress authorized it or an agreement was reached with other states.

October 2009: Lake Lanier Returns to Full Pool

In mid-October 2009, following weeks of heavy rain in North Georgia, Lake Lanier returned to full pool.

2009: District Court Decision

In 2009, a district court decision was made that was later reversed in June 2011.

2009: Major flooding event

In 2009, a major flooding event occurred on the downstream section of the Chattahoochee River, following a two-year drought.

June 2011: Court of Appeals Reverses 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.

2011: Low Water Levels

In 2011, the water level of Lake Lanier fell to some of the lowest points on record.

June 2012: Corps Responds with Analysis Plans

In June 2012, the Corps responded to the court decision with plans for further analysis and evaluation of proposals from the three states regarding water usage.

2012: Low Water Levels

In 2012, the water level of Lake Lanier fell to some of the lowest points on record, mirroring the 2007 droughts.

2013: Florida Files Action Against Georgia

In 2013, Florida filed an original action against Georgia in the Supreme Court of the United States, requesting equitable apportionment of waters in the ACF Basin.

2013: Flooding event

In 2013, another flooding event occurred on the downstream section of the Chattahoochee River.

2013: High Water Levels

In the spring and summer of 2013, the water level of Lake Lanier reached some of the highest points due to high amounts of rain and flooding in the north Georgia area.

November 3, 2014: Supreme Court Grants Leave to File Complaint

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

June 2016: Severe Drought in Forsyth County

By late June 2016, the southern parts of Forsyth County were experiencing severe drought, leading to an order to reduce water use.

2016: Pan American Sprint Canoe/Kayak Championships

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

2017: Margaritaville Announcement

In 2017–2018, Margaritaville was announced to take over Lake Lanier Islands Park.

2018: Margaritaville Announcement

In 2017–2018, Margaritaville was announced to take over Lake Lanier Islands Park.

2018: ICF Dragon Boat World Championships

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

April 1, 2021: Supreme Court Dismisses Complaint

On April 1, 2021, the Supreme Court dismissed Florida's complaint against Georgia in a unanimous opinion, holding that Florida did not prove any serious injury caused by Georgia.