How Deep Is Lake Allatoona in Georgia?

Georgia is full of gorgeous places that show off the natural beauty of the state. Lake Allatoona is one of those hidden gems in north Georgia. If you’re interested in visiting the deepest lake near Atlanta, you may be wondering how deep it is. Lake Allatoona has over 12,000 acres of water area when it’s full, so with that much space, there must be some deep spots, right?

How Deep Is Lake Allatoona?

Lake Allatoona is 145 deep at its maximum depth and features over 270 miles of shoreline when it’s full. It’s just 34 miles from Atlanta and it’s one of the deepest lakes in the state. It’s not quite as deep as Carters Lake, a man-made reservoir in the Blue Ridge Mountains that has a maximum depth of 450 feet, but it’s certainly one of the deepest lakes near Atlanta.

Because Lake Allatoona is so spread out and shaped more like a river than a lake, the water depth levels change throughout the different parts of it. Most places in the lake average in the 40 and 50-foot range for depth, but it gets much shallower and much deeper in certain areas.

Since the water depth varies so much in the different parts of the lake, it’s important to keep a map of the depth levels on your watercraft. As the lake’s water levels change during rainy or less rainy seasons, certain parts of the lake become less accessible. There are mountainous areas under the water’s surface as well as old trees, stumps, and other debris. When a drought has occurred the lake can be dangerous for navigating without a map.

Where Is Lake Allatoona Located on a Map?

Lake Allatoona is northwest of the city of Atlanta by 34 miles. The majority of the lake is located in Bartow County and Cherokee County. A very small portion is in the northern part of Cobb County.

The land around the lake is mainly owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They manage a few recreational activities on the lake and lease out lakefront land to private businesses. The army also refers to the lake as Allatoona Lake, which is its’ official title, though most civilians call it Lake Allatoona.

There are eight marinas and tons of restaurants along Lake Allatoona, as well as a few spots to rent things like kayaks, boats, and paddleboards.

Red Top Mountain State Park is also located on Lake Allatoona. It has a swimming area on the lake, a lodge with 92 guest rooms, and plenty of activities to keep you busy for the whole trip. One of the eight marinas on Lake Allatoona is located within the state park, where you can purchase supplies, fuel up on gas, and rent watercraft.

There are 15 public boat ramps on the lake. There are also a few areas for camping and hunting along the shoreline.

How Did Lake Allatoona Form?

Lake Allatoona is a reservoir that was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The idea for the project was authorized by the Flood Control Acts of 1941 and 1946. To create Lake Allatoona, a lot of local land and roads had to be destroyed. The entire town of Allatoona was flooded when the dam creating the reservoir was erected. The town is what gave Lake Allatoona its name.

Lake Allatoona was not a cheap project, and it cost a total of $31,500,000 to build in 1950. However, the payout for what the lake is now makes the initial cost completely worth it. Multiple municipalities use the reservoir for drinking water, visitors to the lake support local businesses by purchasing goods, and the Corps collects millions of dollars each year from day passes and camping fees.

What Is Lake Allatoona Known For?

Lake Allatoona is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Georgia, and it’s favored by the locals as well. It’s known for being the largest lake near Atlanta, and it’s a common place to find fishermen and skiers. It’s also known for supplying a few nearby towns with their water.

Wildlife Around The Lake

Lake Allatoona is a famous fishing spot. It’s full of bass species, including striped and hybrid bass, as well as catfish, alligator gar, and redhorse suckers. Because the lake sees so much recreational daytime traffic, many bass anglers choose to fish at night. 

There is a wildlife area around the lake that is managed by the Corps. It’s 6,818 acres that are full of deer, turkey, bears, and small game. The Corps allows hunters to purchase passes to harvest animals from the Allatoona Wildlife Management Area. However, it is free to visit the wildlife area for those who want to bird watch, hike, or just stroll around outside. 

Red Top Mountain State Park is also a great place to hike and view wildlife. The park even has a trail called ‘White Tail Trail’, so keep a look out for white-tail deer and other smaller game.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © RodClementPhotography/Shutterstock.com