Interesting facts you may not know about Lake Allatoona: 

Allatoona Pass was the site of an intensive eight hour battle during the Civil War in October 1864. Over 1500 Union and Confederate soldiers were killed, wounded or missing. 

The purposes of Lake Allatoona are: flood control, hydroelectric power generation, water supply and water quality, recreation and fish and wildlife management. 

Lake Allatoona cost $31,500,000 for construction, land, clearing and relocations. 

There are 688 campsites located on Lake Allatoona. 

There are 453 picnic sites in parks on Lake Allatoona. 

Allatoona Dam has prevented over $69,000,000 in flood damage since 1950. 

The generation of hydroelectric power at Allatoona returns over $3.5 million to the Federal Treasury annually. 

The lake has 270 miles of shoreline and covers 1,210 acres. 

Towne Lake's drinking water comes from Lake Allatoona.

Although the lake is safe for now, we need to be aware of runoff and pollution from the Towne Lake area so that we can continue to preserve the water and beaches of Lake Allatoona.

LAKE ALLATOONA
SAFE TO SWIM?
by Amanda Sudds2

Above . Local residents enjoy the beach at Lake Alatonna.

Lake Allatoona is a local resource we often overlook. Many residents do not know how extensive the lake is or how safe it is. Many wonder if the water is actually safe to swim in or if the fish caught in the lake are edible. According to Chief Park Ranger, Robert Gentry, Lake Allatoona is extremely safe and the Corps of Engineers and Water Management take strict precautions each year to maintain its safety. 

Lake Allatoona does contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury, chlordane, DDT residues (DDE/DDD) and dieldrin. However the levels of these chemicals are so low that unless you ate fish from the lake for every meal, every day for thirty years you will not be affected. These chemicals are caused by storm water runoff, industrial and municipal discharges, agricultural practices, non-point source pollution and many other factors. When it rains, chemicals in the air and land are washed right into the lake.

Although these chemicals may sound daunting, the lake is safe for usage. Gentry assures that if levels of pollutants increased to a dangerous level in a certain area, the Corps of Engineers would post the information in the park and close off the area. If you would like more information on water content or lake safety, you can call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office at (770) 382-4700 or Lake Allatoona Preservation Authority at (678) 801-4011. For Lake Allatoona recreational information, call (770) 386-0549.