Lake Sinclair
Encyclopedia
Lake Sinclair is a man-made lake
in central Georgia
near Milledgeville
. It is operated by Georgia Power
.
, Lake Sinclair stretches through the counties of Baldwin
, Hancock
, and Putnam
, Lake Sinclair was created in 1953. With approximately 417 miles (671 km) of scenic shoreline, winding coves and inlets as well as several vast stretches of open water, Lake Sinclair has plenty to offer for recreation and boating pleasure. The lake is made up of a 15330 acres (62 km²) area of water and provides both electricity and recreation. Milledgeville, Georgia
, is the largest city on Lake Sinclair.
In 1979 Lake Oconee
was created with the completion of Wallace Dam, which is a pumped-storage reservoir for Lake Sinclair. What this means is that the water is pumped from Lake Sinclair into Lake Oconee, its dam-sharing lake. It is then released through Wallace Dam back into Lake Sinclair - thus generating electricity. It's quite fascinating to newcomers and you can tell which stage of the operation the process is in by watching the current on Lake Sinclair. Either stop your watercraft and watch the shoreline, or if you are on shore, fix your eye on a watercraft or object in the lake. It will move in either direction depending on the stage of pumping/dam operation. The net effect of the power generation process is an approximate 2 foot (0.6096 m) drop or rise in Lake Sinclair's water level. This drop or rise is minimal and only affects boaters located in very shallow water. Lake Sinclair offers year-round, consistent water levels.
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
in central Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
near Milledgeville
Milledgeville, Georgia
Milledgeville is a city in and the county seat of Baldwin County in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is northeast of Macon, located just before Eatonton on the way to Athens along U.S. Highway 441, and it is located on the Oconee River. The relatively rapid current of the Oconee here made this an...
. It is operated by Georgia Power
Georgia Power
Georgia Power is an electric utility headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It is the largest of the four electric utilities that are owned and operated by Southern Company....
.
Location
Located in the central region of Georgia, on the Oconee RiverOconee River
The Oconee River is a river which has its origin in Hall County, Georgia, and terminates where it joins the Ocmulgee River to form the Altamaha River near Lumber City at the borders of Montgomery County, Wheeler County, and Jeff Davis County. South of Athens, two forks, known as the North Oconee...
, Lake Sinclair stretches through the counties of Baldwin
Baldwin County, Georgia
Baldwin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2010, the population was 46,337. The county seat is Milledgeville.Baldwin County is part of the Milledgeville Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes neighboring Hancock County....
, Hancock
Hancock County, Georgia
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 10,076 people, 3,237 households, and 2,311 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile . There were 4,287 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile...
, and Putnam
Putnam County, Georgia
Putnam County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 18,812. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 21,251...
, Lake Sinclair was created in 1953. With approximately 417 miles (671 km) of scenic shoreline, winding coves and inlets as well as several vast stretches of open water, Lake Sinclair has plenty to offer for recreation and boating pleasure. The lake is made up of a 15330 acres (62 km²) area of water and provides both electricity and recreation. Milledgeville, Georgia
Milledgeville, Georgia
Milledgeville is a city in and the county seat of Baldwin County in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is northeast of Macon, located just before Eatonton on the way to Athens along U.S. Highway 441, and it is located on the Oconee River. The relatively rapid current of the Oconee here made this an...
, is the largest city on Lake Sinclair.
Recreation
Lake Sinclair is largely used by lake residents and people who live and house their boats, watercraft and RVs on the lake – thus access is as easy as lowering their watercraft into the water. For day or weekend visitors, Georgia Power provides two public boat ramps for public access to water recreation. There are also marinas and boat storage areas located on the lake. There are other areas of access to the lake including Oconee Springs Park and several "secret" public access areas. Lake Sinclair is the site of several fishing tournaments - both local and national - and attracts fisherpersons of various skill levels and interest. Visitors find fall and winter fishing at Lake Sinclair a special treat due to the mild climate and activity. There is also a popular fishing area below the dam near Milledgeville. Several recreation areas, such as Oconee Springs Park and Rocky Creek Park, provide day-use facilities that include picnic tables, grills, boat ramp and a small beach. There is camping and even cabin rentals provided at Oconee Springs Park, but not Rocky Creek Park.History
Lake Sinclair was created in 1954 when the waters of the Oconee river were dammed to create a 45,000-kilowatt hydroelectric generating station. Development of this lake as a recreational area began through a planned cooperative program. Participants included the Oconee Area Planning and Development Commission, the U.S. Forest Service, The Georgia Game and Fish Commission, Georgia Power Company and several independent businesses.Tributaries
Lake Sinclair is fed by several creeks and rivers, including Beaver Dam, Crooked, Rooty, Sandy Run, Shoulder Bone, Potato, Island, Rocky, Nancy Branch, Reedy Branch, and Little River. The lake covers over 15,000 acres (61 km²) and has more than 400 miles (643.7 km) of shoreline with a maximum depth of 90 feet.In 1979 Lake Oconee
Lake Oconee
Lake Oconee is a reservoir in central Georgia on the Oconee River near Greensboro and Eatonton. It was created in 1979 when Georgia Power completed the construction of the Wallace Dam on the Oconee River. Lake Oconee is the second largest lake in the state of Georgia...
was created with the completion of Wallace Dam, which is a pumped-storage reservoir for Lake Sinclair. What this means is that the water is pumped from Lake Sinclair into Lake Oconee, its dam-sharing lake. It is then released through Wallace Dam back into Lake Sinclair - thus generating electricity. It's quite fascinating to newcomers and you can tell which stage of the operation the process is in by watching the current on Lake Sinclair. Either stop your watercraft and watch the shoreline, or if you are on shore, fix your eye on a watercraft or object in the lake. It will move in either direction depending on the stage of pumping/dam operation. The net effect of the power generation process is an approximate 2 foot (0.6096 m) drop or rise in Lake Sinclair's water level. This drop or rise is minimal and only affects boaters located in very shallow water. Lake Sinclair offers year-round, consistent water levels.