Rocky Mountain Project facts for kids

The Rocky Mountain Project is a fun outdoor area located near Rome, Georgia, United States. It's a great place for activities like fishing, swimming, and camping. This special area has two man-made lakes, Heath Lake and Antioch Lake, which together cover about 559 acres (or 2.26 square kilometers). The Oglethorpe Power Corporation owns this project, and Georgia Power helps own it too. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, specifically their Wildlife Resources Division, helps manage the recreational area. Oglethorpe Power also provides the money to keep it running.

History of the Project

The Rocky Mountain Project gets its name from the Rocky Mountain Hydroelectric Plant. This plant is what helped create the recreation area we see today. In the late 1970s, Georgia Power bought the land, which was then known as Rock Mountain, from Berry College. People say that if you looked at Rock Mountain from above, it looked like a big bowl. This shape made it a perfect spot to build a hydroelectric power plant. About 15 years later, the huge power plant and the fun recreation areas were finished. They opened to the public, offering a new place for everyone to enjoy the outdoors.

Heath Lake: The Fishing Spot

Heath Lake is often called "Trophy Lake" because it's the main fishing lake at the Rocky Mountain Project. This lake covers about 202 acres (or 0.82 square kilometers). Many different kinds of fish live here. Some of the common fish you might catch include Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Channel Catfish, Redear Sunfish, and Hybrid White Striped Bass. It's a popular spot for anglers looking for a good catch!

Antioch Lake: The Larger Lake

Antioch Lake is the bigger of the two lakes at the Rocky Mountain Project. It covers about 357 acres (or 1.44 square kilometers). This lake also has a special man-made "beach" area, which is great for swimming and relaxing. Just like Heath Lake, fishing is very popular at Antioch Lake, with many visitors coming to enjoy the water.

Images for kids

• 

  Antioch Lake

• 

  Heath Lake