Lake Lanier is a reservoir located in the northern part of Georgia, USA.
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 sq mi (150 km2) of water, and 692 mi (1,114 km) of shoreline at normal level.
Lake Lanier was built and is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control and water supplies.
The lake was named in honor of the American poet Sidney Lanier, in remembrance of the tribute he gave to the Chattahoochee River in his poem, titled, “The Song of the Chattahoochee”.
The lake was mired in controversy from the start, as it was created by flooding valley communities that contained a cemetery, fueling beliefs that it’s cursed.
More than 200 people have died in swimming and boating accidents on the lake since 1994, adding to its dark history.
The water level of Lake Lanier has fluctuated over the years due to droughts and other factors.
In February 2008, the water level had risen above the record-low levels set in November, effectively ending the record-low phase of the drought crisis.
Additionally, Lake Lanier is a popular destination for recreational activities such as fishing, swimming, and water skiing.
The lake has about 625 billion gallons of water, which is the equivalent of 950,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Lake Lanier history
The area that is now Lake Lanier was once home to several communities, including Oscarville, which was submerged when the lake was created in the 1950s as part of a large-scale water management project known as the Buford Dam Project.
The construction of the dam and the creation of the lake were authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1946, and the project was undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The total cost to create the lake was about $45 million, including buying 50,000 acres at an average of $50 per acre, beginning in 1948.
The government moved 250 families, 20 cemeteries, 15 businesses, and six churches to make room for the lake.
The creation of Lake Lanier was mired in controversy from the start, as it was created by flooding valley communities that contained a cemetery, fueling beliefs that it’s cursed.
More than 200 people have died in swimming and boating accidents on the lake since 1994, adding to its dark history.
While Lake Lanier’s water levels have always fluctuated depending on local water supply, the period from 2007 to 2009 saw abnormally intense drought conditions due to a faulty lake gauge (which lead the Army Corp of Engineers to accidentally release excess water).
This particularly period of drought revealed many old structures and time capsules from the past in certain areas of the lake-bed.
Today, Lake Lanier is a popular destination for recreational activities such as fishing, swimming, and water skiing.
The lake has about 625 billion gallons of water, which is the equivalent of 950,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Although the town of Oscarville is now submerged, efforts have been made to preserve and commemorate its history, including the establishment of the Oscarville Historic District.
Why is Lake Lanier dangerous?
Lake Lanier is considered dangerous due to a high number of accidents and fatalities that have occurred on the lake over the years.
Between 1994 and 2020, 203 people died on Lake Lanier with causes of death range from boating collisions to drowning to wild accidents.
According to local authorities, these frequent incidents are due to the lake’s popularity with tourists.
The lake was created in the 1950s by flooding valley communities that contained a cemetery, fueling beliefs that it’s cursed.
Historians say that the lake was mired in controversy from the start. More than 200 people have died in swimming and boating accidents on the lake since 1994, adding to its dark history.
Local legends say divers have even reportedly bumped into rogue body parts during lake excursions.
While there are no ghosts in the water, there are underwater hazards such as submerged trees and rocks that can cause accidents.
Lake Lanier is a popular destination for recreational activities such as fishing, swimming, and water skiing. The high visitation rate also means more fatalities.
