Old Hell Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Hell Lake |
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 Old Hell Lake
Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Old Hell Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Long County, Georgia |
| Coordinates | 31°33′23″N 081°41′18″W / 31.55639°N 81.68833°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
Old Hell Lake is a body of water located in Long County, Georgia, United States. This lake sits about 15 feet above sea level.
Where is Old Hell Lake?
The lake is found about 11 miles away from the city of Ludowici. Water from Old Hell Lake flows into a small stream. This stream then joins the Altamaha River. The spot where the stream meets the Altamaha River is known as Old Hell Bight.
How Did Old Hell Lake Get Its Name?
There are a few ideas about how Old Hell Lake got its interesting name. One idea suggests it's named after a large, difficult swamp nearby.
However, the most likely story comes from a time when huge rafts of timber were floated down the Altamaha River. River workers, called "rivermen," gave names to tricky spots. Old Hell Bight was probably a very dangerous bend in the river. It had strong currents that could cause problems for the timber rafts. Pilots and their crews could lose their pay, their timber, and sometimes even their lives there.
So, it's believed that Old Hell Bight was named first because it was such a tough spot. Then, the lake next to it took on a similar name. The United States Geological Survey officially recorded the name between 1976 and 1979. It was added to the Geographic Names Information System on September 25, 1979.
