Dam Construction and Lake Filling

Groundbreaking for Lake Lanier occurred on March 1, 1950. The ceremony was held on the left bank of the Chattahoochee River in Gwinnett County on a high peak overlooking the site chosen for the earth dam that would hold back the waters of Lake Lanier. The ceremony was attended by a number of dignitaries, including Governor Herman Talmadge, Senator Walter George, Senator Richard B. Russell, and Atlanta mayor William B. Hartsfield. In his speech, Governor Talmadge said that the creation of Lake Lanier would be a "boon to the people of Georgia" and that it would "provide a much-needed source of water for irrigation, drinking, and recreation." Senator George said that Lake Lanier would be a "great asset to the state of Georgia" and that it would "provide a beautiful setting for recreation and a valuable source of water for irrigation and drinking." Senator Russell said that Lake Lanier would be a "great benefit to the people of Georgia" and that it would "provide a valuable source of water for irrigation, drinking, and recreation." Mayor Hartsfield said that Lake Lanier would be a "great asset to the city of Atlanta" and that it would "provide a beautiful setting for recreation and a valuable source of water for irrigation and drinking." After the speeches, the dignitaries turned over the first shovels of dirt to mark the beginning of construction on Lake Lanier. The construction of Lake Lanier was a major undertaking. The dam was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and it took four years to complete. The lake was filled with water from the Chattahoochee River and it took several years for the lake to reach its full level. Lake Lanier is now one of the most popular lakes in Georgia. It is a popular destination for boating, fishing, swimming, and other water sports. It is also home to several marinas, campgrounds, and resorts. The lake is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and its scenic beauty makes it a popular tourist destination.
1950 Groundbreaking Ceremony
Lake Sidney Lanier was dedicated on October 16, 1957. The dedication ceremony was held at the Buford Dam, which created the lake. The ceremony was attended by Governor Marvin Griffin, Senator Richard Russell, and other dignitaries. The dedication ceremony began with a prayer by the Reverend John H. Caldwell. The Reverend Caldwell then led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Governor Griffin then gave a speech in which he praised the construction of Lake Lanier. He said that the lake would provide many benefits for the people of Georgia, including flood control, hydroelectric power, and water supply. Senator Russell then gave a speech in which he praised the poet Sidney Lanier. He said that Lanier was a great American poet and that the lake was a fitting tribute to his memory. After the speeches, the crowd was invited to tour the Buford Dam and the lake. The dedication ceremony was a success and marked a major milestone in the history of Lake Lanier.
Atlanta Mayor William Hartsfield Dedicating the Buford Dam

Thousands of people gathered on March 1, 1950, for the Buford Dam groundbreaking. Construction brought an influx of new resident workers and had lasting effects on the communities as well as the landscape.

Virginia Saine: “When they started the dam, we got lots of new people and that’s when Buford really started growing. And it eventually spread to Sugar Hill, but basically they came to Buford. We had no one that wasn’t from here, if that makes sense…. We had, in Buford, there was one Jewish family, one Catholic family of the whole town, because you knew everybody then. And so it made it diverse when they came.”

Cheryl Chesser remembers what it was like when construction started on Buford Dam.

George Pirkle: “My brother and my mother and daddy and I would all ride over to a lookout point that was on the east bank of the proposed lake, on the east bank of the river. And we’d sit there and watch them for hours. The reason we could get over there is because Dad had a pass to get inside the place because he sold eggs to the little lunch cafe thing that they had built up on one side of this big bank. And it looked like something out of Gold Rush days or something.”

After six long years of construction, the dam was ready to hold water. A ceremony held on February 1, 1956, marked the closing of the gates. At this point, Lake Lanier began to slowly fill.

Alan Wayne tells his story of attending the grand closing of the Buford Dam gates in 1956.

It took years for the lake to reach capacity. During that time, the rising water drove animals from their natural habitats.

Jerry Henderson: “…it did actually run a lot of varmints out on us, the snakes and everything had to leave and look for higher ground. So they did come visit.”

The filling of Lake Lanier also caused logistical problems for locals trying to navigate an ever-changing landscape. For some, it was an emotional process as they watched familiar landmarks disappear before their eyes.

George Pirkle: “Daddy took what he remembered as being a way that he could go to get home and he turned down this road. There were no indications anywhere that there was any kind of hazard down there. But we’re driving along and I was in the back seat, and I heard mother scream and daddy slammed on brakes and I looked up. And the headlights were just right at the water. The road had gone.”

Martha McConnell: “My aunt had grown up on that property, and the house was still there. And if we were over that way, she would want to ride by and see how deep the water was getting. And each time, it was up a little higher and the last time we went by, it was up to the roof line and she never wanted to go back after that.”

Vernon Maddox remembers how Lake Lanier displaced families and homes.

Buford Dam was officially dedicated, and the project’s completion celebrated, on October 9, 1957. In June 1958, Lake Lanier opened to the public for recreation. This would usher in a brand-new era for the once-sleepy farming communities of the north Georgia foothills.