Carters Lake

Carters Lake is a reservoir in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia where the Coosawattee River flows. The water body covers large areas with mostly natural shoreline that accommodates various outdoor activities.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the dam in 1977, creating this reservoir. The rising water covered the older settlement of Coosa that once existed in the valley.

The place takes its name from Farrish Carter, a local settler from the 1800s, and its river setting later became inspiration for scenes in the novel and film 'Deliverance'. The shoreline remains largely undeveloped, keeping the landscape much as early visitors would have found it.

The lake offers fishing, water sports, and hiking opportunities with campgrounds positioned along the shore. Best visited during favorable weather, keeping in mind that water levels change with the seasons.

The lake operates a pumped storage system that moves water during low-demand hours to generate electricity when needed most. This engineering approach allows power production to match peak demand times throughout the day.