Weiss Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Weiss Lake |
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Weiss Lake in 2015
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 Weiss Lake
Location in Alabama
Weiss Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Cherokee County, Alabama / Floyd County, Georgia, US |
| Coordinates | 34°10′16″N 85°45′15″W / 34.17111°N 85.75417°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Coosa River, Chattooga River, Little River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 32,000 acres (13,000 ha) |
| Max. depth | 62 ft (19 m) |
Weiss Lake is a large lake located in northeastern Alabama, United States. It is owned and managed by the Alabama Power Company. The lake covers about 30,200 acres (122 square kilometers) and gets its water from three rivers: the Coosa River, the Chattooga River (Alabama–Georgia), and the Little River.
Weiss Lake has over 447 miles (719 kilometers) of shoreline. It features shallow areas, big coves, deep channels, and spots where the lake bottom drops off suddenly. Around the lake, you can find hotels, marinas, campgrounds, and shops that sell bait and fishing gear.
Contents
Building Weiss Lake
Weiss Dam was built to create Weiss Lake. It was the first of seven dams planned for the Coosa River to help make electricity. Construction on the dam started in 1958 and finished three years later in 1961.
The dam is made of concrete and earth, and it stands about 126 feet (38 meters) high. It was named after Fernand C. Weiss, who used to be a chief engineer for Alabama Power.
Fishing Fun
Weiss Lake is a very popular spot for fishing! It's known for its many fish, especially crappie, largemouth bass, and striped bass.
Types of Fish
- Bass: In 2009, many bass between 15 and 18 inches were found in the lake. There were also lots of younger, growing bass.
- Striped Bass: Most striped bass caught here weigh between 3 and 7 pounds. However, some really big ones, over 25 pounds, have also been caught!
- Crappie: This is another favorite fish for anglers at Weiss Lake.
Best Fishing Times
- For crappie, the best months to fish are March through May. You can also have good luck in September through November.
- For bass, the best times are February through May, and again in October and November.
Activities and History
Weiss Lake is not just for fishing; it's also a place for other fun activities.
Sailing on the Lake
The Rome Sailing Club, which started in 1955, moved to Weiss Lake in 1980. This shows that the lake is a great place for sailing and enjoying the water.
Bridges and Water Level
There are 11 bridges that cross over Weiss Lake. When the lake is full during the summer, its water level is about 564 feet (172 meters) above sea level.
A Book About the Lake
A local newspaper editor, Douglas Scott Wright, wrote a book called A History of Weiss Lake. This book tells the story of how the dams were built on the Coosa River. It also shares stories about the farmers who tried to stop the building of Weiss Dam, the man the lake was named after, and how the community has changed since the lake was completed in June 1961.
