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Blue Ridge Lake

Blue Ridge Lake, a reservoir in Fannin County, Georgia, encompasses 3,300 surface acres of water and is managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Fed mainly by the Toccoa River, this lake was created by the completion of the Blue Ridge Dam in 1930. TVA currently holds the water level at about 1,672 feet because of ground movement early in 2012. The dam is safe after a two-year rehabilitation project, but TVA is being cautious.

The reservoir is located in the Chattahoochee National Forest near Blue Ridge in the Cohutta Wilderness Area. When water is released from Blue Ridge Dam to generate electricity, the river becomes a Class I-II float through the Georgia hills. From the Blue Ridge Dam, the water flows freely northeast into Tennessee, where it becomes the Ocoee River.

Fishing

Toccoa River fishing is popular among anglers because of sunfish, trout, and bass. The lake is home to bass, bream, catfish, crappie, and perch. This lake is the only lake south of the Great Lakes where you can snag a walleye. Follow Georgia Outdoor News listed in our resources below for Blue Ridge Lake fishing updates.

       

  Search Blue Ridge Lake Resources
    Blue Ridge Lake Georgia Coordinates:
34.8825N -84.2800W
Map It:
Lake Type:
Reservoir
Surface Area:
3,290 acres
Maximum Depth:
246 ft
Elevation:
1,672 ft
Normal Water Clarity:
3 ft
Major City:
Atlanta
Airport:
Atlanta
Boating

Although 80 percent of the shoreline along this lake is national forest managed by the USDA Forest Service, visitors still have access to several boat ramps, one full-service marina, and public swimming and picnic areas. Boat ramps are available at Morganton Point Campground, Lakewood Landing, Blue Ridge Lake Rec Area, and Blue Ridge Lake Marina.

       
Lodging

Blue Ridge Lake is a getaway for people across a tri-state area, so expect plenty of accommodations such as lodges, cabins, campgrounds, B&Bs, vacation rental sites, and hotels in this area. More than 17,000 people per year visit Blue Ridge, the county seat of Fannin County, to ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and to shop. This town and the surrounding lake and forests provide some of the most popular tourist destinations in this state. Morganton Point is the only developed campground at the lake, open from April to the end of October.

Other lodging is available at

Review the Lake Resource Guide for additional lodging.



Communities

Located about 100 miles north of Atlanta, part of the charm of this lake is its relative isolation. This lake's shoreline consists mostly of undeveloped property. However, 25 percent of the lake is developed, and it is located next to the towns of Blue Ridge (via U.S. Route 76) and Morganton (via Highway 60 from Dahlonega), and both towns are situated north of the Chattahoochee National Forest.

Fun times at Blue Ridge Lake  Blue Ridge Lake

Blue Ridge Lake  Blue Ridge Lake



 
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