The construction of Lake Sidney Lanier and Buford Dam was authorized by an act of Congress in 1946. Its original purposes were for power production, flood control, downstream navigation and fish and wildlife management. Buford Dam harnesses the waters of two rivers – the Chattahoochee and the Chestatee, which both start in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

Construction began in 1951 and was completed in 1956 at a total cost $45 million. Today, estimates of the economic impact of Lake Lanier exceed $5.5 billion annually, based on a study conducted by the Marine Trade Association of Metropolitan Atlanta in 2000.

More than $96 million in electricity has been produced by the powerhouse generators located at Buford Dam since 1957.

Lake Lanier, located in the Highlands Region of Georgia, features 68 park areas that include boat ramps, picnic settings, hiking trails and camping.

Fast Facts about Lake Lanier

At a glance, here are fast facts about Lake Sidney Lanier

• 39,000 acres of water
• 692 miles of shoreline
• Created from the Chattahoochee and Chestatee Rivers by Buford Dam
• Authorized by Congress in 1946
• Construction began in 1951
• Opened in 1956
• 8 million annual visitors
• 68 parks and recreation areas
• 12 campgrounds with more than 1,200 campsites
• 10 full-service marinas with restaurants, gas docks, pump-out stations and boat storage
• Home to Lake Lanier Islands with two resort hotels, golf and a water park
• Additional lakeside cabin camping, restaurants and boat launch areas
• Most Corps of Engineers facilities at Lake Lanier are handicapped accessible.