Lake Oliver, body of water
Lake Oliver is a reservoir on the Chattahoochee River that stretches over 40 miles and covers about 2,150 acres with depths reaching 50 feet. The body of water widens in the south and narrows toward the north, where it flows like a river just above the dam that creates it.
The lake was created in 1959 when Georgia Power built the Goat Rock Dam to generate hydroelectric power and supply water to Columbus and surrounding communities. The dam stands about 70 feet tall and stretches over 2,000 feet long with four turbines.
The lake is named after James McCoy Oliver, a Georgia Power executive from the 1950s whose name became tied to this waterway. Today the area blends residential neighborhoods, marinas, and public recreation spaces where locals and visitors move between water activities and everyday community life.
A marina on the Georgia-Alabama border offers boat docks, fishing piers, and boat rentals for visitors looking to get on the water. The area is easy to reach since it borders Columbus and has ample parking and paths leading to the water.
Beyond recreation, the lake serves as the primary water supply for the city of Columbus, making it critical infrastructure hidden in plain sight. Downstream from the dam, the river drops about 100 feet within a few miles, creating a noticeable shift in the landscape's slope and character.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
