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Lake Harding

Managed by the Chattahoochee Hydro Group, Lake Harding is a reservoir on the Chattahoochee River that is formed by Bartlett's Ferry Dam. Often, the lake is referred to as Bartlett's Ferry Lake. Most of the lake is located in Georgia, but portions of the reservoir fall in Alabama. The Columbus Power Company originally built the dam in 1926 to generate hydroelectric power. Georgia Power purchased the dam and lake in 1930.

Lake Harding today is a popular recreational area with local residents, many of whom have built lake homes along the well-developed shoreline. Several islands, most notably Houston's Island, dot the lake. Those islands and most of the facilities for visitors and anglers are located in Georgia. Water recreation at this lake also includes skiing, swimming, and sailing.

Fishing

In most cases, creel and possession limits are the same both Alabama and Georgia along the river and its reservoirs. Alabama and Georgia fishing licenses are recognized for all Lake Harding's waters. Anglers can find largemouth and spotted bass, crappie, striped and white bass, and channel catfish at Lake Harding. Outside the marinas, there are public boat ramps located at Chattahoochee Valley Recreation Park and Po' Boy Landing on the Alabama side.

Goat Rock Lake is located on the south of Lake Harding. Goat Rock Lake is a 940-acre reservoir that serves many locals for fishing. Lake access is limited to the Goat Rock Marina, located on the Alabama side of this lake. There is no recreational activity on this riverine lake other than fishing.

       

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    Lake Harding Alabama Coordinates:
32.6860N -85.1576W
Map It:
Lake Type:
Reservoir
Surface Area:
5,850 acres
Maximum Depth:
100 ft
Elevation:
521 ft
Normal Water Clarity:
3 ft
Major City:
Columbus, GA
Airport:
Columbus, GA
Boating

Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (AAWF) maintains two boat ramps to this lake on the Alabama side, including Halawakee Creek and Po' Boys, which is 20 miles from Phenix City off County Road 334.

       
Lodging

Lake Harding is close to both Columbus, Georgia, and Auburn, Alabama, and both cities offer accommodations that can suit any budget. Chewacla State Park, located four miles south of Auburn off I-85, offers a 26-acre lake, swimming, newly-renovated cabins, and a campground that includes RV storage. Visitors also can find many other accommodations throughout Lee County.

Columbus, Georgia, actually is located ten miles closer to the lake than Auburn, and visitors to Lake Harding also can find many different types of accommodations throughout this area.

Review the Lake Resource Guide for additional lodging.



Communities

Lake Harding is located in Lee County, Alabama, and in Harris County, Georgia. Towns in Alabama that are close to the lake include La Fayette, Smith's Station, and Opelika. The closest major city in Alabama is Auburn, and the closest major airport is the Columbus Metropolitan Airport in Columbus, Georgia, which offers daily flights to Atlanta. For international service, visitors usually use the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport or the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. Both larger airports are located within two hours from Auburn.

Fun times at Lake Harding  Lake Harding

Lake Harding  Lake Harding



 
Average Temperatures Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Avg. High  54 Avg. High  58 Avg. High  66 Avg. High  73 Avg. High  80 Avg. High  87 Avg. High  89 Avg. High  88 Avg. High  83 Avg. High  74 Avg. High  65 Avg. High  56
Avg. Low  32 Avg. Low  35 Avg. Low  42 Avg. Low  48 Avg. Low  58 Avg. Low  66 Avg. Low  70 Avg. Low  69 Avg. Low  63 Avg. Low  51 Avg. Low  42 Avg. Low  35