Lake Allatoona

Infobox lake
lake_name = Lake Allatoona
image_lake = RedTopMountain.jpg
caption_lake = Seen from Red Top Mountain State Park
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Georgia, United States
coords = coord|34|8|18|N|84|38|38|W|type:waterbody_region:US-GA|display=inline,title
type = reservoir
inflow = Etowah River, Allatoona Creek, Noonday Creek
outflow = Etowah River
catchment =
basin_countries = United States
length =
width =
area = convert|12010|acre|km2|abbr=on
depth =
max-depth = 44.196 m
volume = convert|367500|acre.ft|km3|abbr=on|lk=on
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = 256 m
islands =
cities =

Lake Allatoona (rarely called Allatoona Lake, its government name) is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake in Georgia, located in northwestern metro Atlanta. The lake is mostly in southwestern Cherokee County, but a significant part is in southeastern Bartow County, and a small part in Cobb County near Acworth. Red Top Mountain State Park is located on its shores, and Cartersville is the nearest large town.

The lake was authorized by the Flood Control Acts of 1941 and 1946. The riverside town of Allatoona was destroyed by the creation of the lake.

The lake is popular for summer recreation, including boating served by several private marinas and public boat ramps. Acworth Beach is an area where the red clay soil has been covered with white beach sand, and roped off with floats for safety from boaters.

Allatoona also supplies much of the drinking water for the three counties it is in. The lake is supplied by the Etowah River, and its major tributary the Little River, as well as smaller streams like Allatoona Creek and Noonday Creek. The Allatoona Dam holding back the lake was built on the Etowah, which in turn merges into the Coosa River downstream (northwest) at Rome. The watershed upstream (mostly northeast) of Allatoona covers about convert|1100|sqmi|km2|-1.

The lake's full summer pool is convert|840|ft|m|0 above mean sea level, though during major droughts it has dropped as much as convert|13|ft|m|0 below this, exposing dangerous obstacles such as old tree stumps and former hills which are normally submerged at a safe depth. Its maximum capacity or flood stage is +convert|23|ft|m|0 [convert|863|ft|m|0 AMSL] , though it has never been known to reach this level, and flooding of boat ramps and other lakeside facilities begins to occur well below it.

In the late 1980s, prolonged drought exposed vast portions of the lake bed revealing tree stumps, roads, foundations of houses (Wilson's farm) and stayed that way for two years. Grass grew in some places and children were seen to mow the grass and play baseball on the newfound vacant lots.

The general contractor for construction of Allatoona Dam was National Constructor Inc. The total cost of the Allatoona project for construction, land, clearing, and relocation was $31,500,000 in 1950. Allatoona serves seven authorized purposes:

# Flood Control
# Hydropower generation
# Water supply
# Recreation
# Fish and wildlife management
# Water quality
# Navigation

The power plant began operation January 31, 1950. Since 1957 the summer pool elevation has been convert|840|ft|m|0. Since 1957 the winter draw down has been convert|823|ft|m|0. Two municipalities withdraw water from the lake. The City of Cartersville uses 12 million gallons (45 million liters) per day. Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority uses 43 million gallons (163 million liters) per day.

In 1998 Allatoona clocked 86,813,126 hours, which were more visitor hours than any of the other 450 Corps of Engineer projects in the United States and exceeded that in 2006 with more than 92 million visitor hours.

Hydroelectric power generation at Allatoona returns more than $3.5 million to the Federal Treasury annually.

The Corps collected more than $1 million in Camping and Day Use fees in 2006.

Visitors to Allatoona spent more than $12 million for consumable goods in 1999.

The presence of Allatoona Dam has prevented nearly $80 million in flood damages since 1950.

The record high water on Allatoona of convert|861.19|ft|m|2 occurred on April 9, 1964.

From 1950 through 2006, 281 drownings have occurred in Allatoona.

Allatoona Pass was the site of an intensive 8-hour battle during the Civil War in 1864. More than 1500 Union and Confederate soldiers were killed, wounded or missing.

The Corps of Engineers has 662 campsites on Allatoona.

Facilities

Marinas

Lake Allatoona plays host to eight (8) privately operated marinas that provide fuel, storage, boat repairs, rentals, supplies, and/ or other boater's needs, from the southern most marina, Holiday Marina Harbor, to the northern most marina, Little River Marina. Access Park Marina (Red Top Mnt.), Allatoona Landing Marina and Holiday Marina Harbor from Interstate I-75 or SR 41 and Little River Marina, Victoria Harbour and Harbor Town Marina from Bells Ferry Road. Etowah Yacht Club and Allatoona Yacht Club provide marinas located in the middle portion of the lake. Wilderness Camp Marina located off GA HWY 20 provides convenient access to deep water. Location and telephone numbers are provide through the U.S. Army Corps web page under "Boat Ramp & Beach Status" tab. Whether your preference is sailing, wind surfing, or power boating, Lake Allatoona is the place to be!!

Boat ramps

Lake Allatoona provides fifteen (15) boat ramps throughout the lake area conveniantly located in three counties: Cobb, Cherokee and Bartow Counties. Ramps located near Interstate I-75 and SR 41 provide convenient access to lake activities, including water sports, fishing and boating, for the south-western part of the lake. Ramps located near Interstate I-575 and Bells Ferry Road provide access to the north-eastern part of Lake Allatoona. Parking is provided, but limited to parking areas only, and does require a parking pass or day-use fee depending on location. Information regarding the boat ramp status can be found on the U.S. Army Corps web link provided below. Several boat ramps play host to fishing tournaments each months. Check with each Day Use Area for schedual of events or parking statues.

Recreation

Camping: The Corps of Engineers operates several campgrounds and campsites on the Lake Allatoona area. Many of these sites are reservable on the web at http://www.recreation.gov. Specific site amenities are listed for reservable sites.

Hunting: All hunting seasons are set by the appropriate state or local governing authority. State hunting licenses are required at all areas OPEN to hunting on the Corps of Engineers property. Georgia may require an additional stamp for hunting in WMA's (Wildlife Management Areas). Some areas have additional restrictions and/ or requirement.

Special Events: Events such-as a fishing tournament, boat regatta, music festival, fireworks display, film or television production, large scale picnic, wedding or fair may require a special event permit. Contact lake management office for information on obtaining a permit.

Fishing

Lake Allatoona has become an excellent fishery, with numbers and sizes coming up every year. The most common and successful daytime method for catching fish is with live minnows or small jigs fished around downed trees, brush, rocky banks, docks and bridges in 15 feet of water or less. At night, a simple lantern or dock light will attract smaller minnows which crappie feed on, and they'll school together under the light just out of sight. Use live minnows right under the light for steady action all night.

Since the lower water levels of 2007, the lake levels have improved through proper lake management by the Corps of Engineers. Whether you're looking for bank fishing or boat fishing bass, bream or catfish, Lake Allatoona has a spot for you. State and local fish and game laws apply on the lake and a state fishing license is required.

Lake Allatoona Fishing Reports page states Allatoona is the most visited lake in Georgia, according to Georgia Outdoor News (www.gon.com).

External links

* [http://www.lakeallatoona.com LakeAllatoona.com]
* [http://allatoona.sam.usace.army.mil USACE site for Lake Allatoona]
* at GNIS
* [http://www.allatoona.org Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority]
* [http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=66307 Flooding]
* [http://allatoona.sam.usace.army.mil/watershed_study.htm USACE site on the Lake Allatoona/Upper Etowah River Watershed Study]