Walter F. George Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Walter F. George Lake |
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Walter F. George Lock and Dam
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 Walter F. George Lake
Location in Alabama
Walter F. George Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Alabama–Georgia state line, United States |
| Coordinates | 31°48′N 85°8′W / 31.800°N 85.133°W |
| Primary inflows | Chattahoochee River |
| Primary outflows | Chattahoochee River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 45,181 acres (182.8 km2) |
| Average depth | 15–18 feet (4.6–5.5 m) |
| Max. depth | 100 ft (30 m) |
| Shore length1 | 640 mi (1,030 km) |
| Surface elevation | 190 ft (58 m) |
| Islands | Gopher Island, Rabbit Island |
| Settlements | Eufaula, Alabama Georgetown, Georgia Fort Gaines, Georgia |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
The Walter F. George Lake is a large lake located on the Chattahoochee River. It sits right on the border between the states of Alabama and Georgia in the United States. This lake is named after Walter F. George, who was an important United States Senator from Georgia many years ago.
Many people in Alabama also call this lake Lake Eufaula. This name became official in Alabama on June 25, 1963, when the state government passed a special resolution. The lake is huge, covering about 46,000 acres. It stretches north for about 85 miles from the Walter F. George Lock and Dam and has a very long shoreline, about 640 miles!
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Exploring Walter F. George Lake
Walter F. George Lake is a popular spot for many fun outdoor activities. People love to visit for camping and especially for "trophy fishing." Trophy fishing means trying to catch very large fish, often for sport.
Who Manages the Lake?
The lake is mainly managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. This is a government agency that builds and manages many water projects in the U.S. They make sure the lake is safe and well-maintained.
Protected Areas Around the Lake
Both Alabama and Georgia have created special protected areas along the lake's shores. These places help keep nature safe and offer more ways for people to enjoy the outdoors.
- In Alabama, you can find the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge and Lakepoint State Park.
- In Georgia, there are Florence Marina and George T. Bagby state parks.
These parks are great for exploring nature, watching wildlife, and having adventures by the water.
History of the Lake Area
Before Walter F. George Lake was created, the land it now covers was home to many historic and prehistoric sites. These sites were important to Native American cultures. Indigenous peoples had lived along the Chattahoochee River for thousands of years.
In the 1950s, an area called Oketeyeconne, Georgia, which had many Native American residents, had to be evacuated. This was done to make way for the creation of the lake. The lake's construction changed the landscape forever, covering many ancient places.
