Lake Yonah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Yonah |
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Location | Georgia / South Carolina |
Coordinates | 34°40′54″N 083°20′31″W / 34.68167°N 83.34194°W |
Type | reservoir |
Primary inflows | Tugaloo River, |
Primary outflows | Tugaloo River |
Basin countries | United States |
Lake Yonah is a beautiful lake that sits right on the border between Georgia and South Carolina. It's actually a special kind of lake called a reservoir, which means it was created by people. This lake is an important part of the Tugaloo River system.
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All About Lake Yonah
Lake Yonah was formed by building a large structure called the Yonah Dam. This dam helps control the flow of the Tugaloo River. It is owned and operated by a company called Georgia Power.
Powering Homes with the Dam
The Yonah Dam is not just a wall holding back water. It's also a power plant! It uses the force of the water to generate electricity. This dam can produce 22 megawatts of power. That's enough electricity to light up many homes and businesses!
Life Around the Lake
Lake Yonah is a popular place for people to live and visit. There are 72 homes around the lake. Some are vacation homes where families enjoy holidays, while others are permanent residences. Imagine living right by a beautiful lake!
The River's Journey
The Tugaloo River flows into Lake Yonah. After passing through the Yonah Dam, the river continues its journey. It then flows into another large body of water called Lake Hartwell. From there, the Tugaloo River joins the Savannah River. The Savannah River eventually makes its way to the Atlantic Ocean.
Other Rivers Joining In
The Seneca River is another important river that joins this system. It flows from South Carolina and adds its waters to the larger river network. Rivers like the Seneca are called "tributaries" because they feed into a larger river.
A Source of Fresh Water
Lake Yonah also provides fresh water for people to drink and use. The town of Toccoa, which is about 22 miles (35 km) away, gets some of its fresh water from Lake Yonah. This shows how important lakes and rivers are for our communities.