Lake Sinclair facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Sinclair |
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 Lake Sinclair
Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Lake Sinclair
Location in the United States
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| Location | Baldwin / Hancock / Putnam counties, Georgia, US |
| Coordinates | 33°08′26″N 83°12′07″W / 33.1405°N 83.202°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Oconee River (see article) |
| Primary outflows | Oconee River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 15,330 acres (6,200 ha) |
| Max. depth | 86 ft (26 m) |
| Shore length1 | 417 mi (671 km) |
| Surface elevation | 342 ft (104 m) |
| Settlements | Milledgeville |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lake Sinclair is a large, man-made lake in central Georgia. It is located near the city of Milledgeville. The lake was built and is managed by a company called Georgia Power. It was named after Benjamin W. Sinclair, who worked for Georgia Power.
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Where is Lake Sinclair?
Lake Sinclair is in the middle part of Georgia. It was created in 1953 by building a dam on the Oconee River. The lake stretches across three counties: Baldwin, Hancock, and Putnam.
The lake covers about 15,330 acres of water. It has a long shoreline, stretching for about 417 miles. This includes many winding coves and open water areas. Lake Sinclair helps make electricity and is also a popular spot for fun activities. Milledgeville, Georgia, is the biggest city close to the lake.
Fun Things to Do at Lake Sinclair
Lake Sinclair is a great place for outdoor activities. Many people who live nearby or visit bring their boats and RVs here.
- Boating: You can easily get onto the water. Georgia Power provides two public boat ramps. There are also marinas and places to store boats.
- Fishing: The lake is famous for fishing. Many fishing tournaments, both local and national, happen here. Fishermen of all skill levels enjoy catching fish in Lake Sinclair. Fishing is especially good in the fall and winter because the weather is mild. There's also a popular fishing spot below the dam near Milledgeville.
- Parks and Camping: Several parks, like Oconee Springs Park and Rocky Creek Park, offer day-use facilities. These include picnic tables, grills, boat ramps, and small beaches. Oconee Springs Park also has camping spots and cabins you can rent.
How Lake Sinclair Was Made
Lake Sinclair was created in 1953. This happened when a dam was built across the Oconee River. The dam helped create a hydroelectric power station. This station makes 45,000 kilowatts of electricity.
The lake was developed as a fun place for people to visit. Many groups worked together to make this happen. These included the U.S. Forest Service and the Georgia Game and Fish Commission.
Rivers and Creeks Feeding the Lake
Many smaller rivers and creeks flow into Lake Sinclair. These include Beaver Dam, Crooked, Rooty, and Sandy Run creeks. Other creeks are Shoulder Bone, Potato, Island, Rocky, Nancy Branch, and Reedy Branch. The Little River also feeds into the lake.
The lake is 15,330 acres big. It has 417 miles of shoreline. The deepest part of the lake is about 86 feet deep.
The Sinclair Dam
The dam that created Lake Sinclair is very large. It is about 100 feet tall. The dam stretches for about 2,800 feet across the river.
