Lake Oconee
Encyclopedia
Lake Oconee is a reservoir
in central Georgia
on the Oconee River
near Greensboro
and Eatonton
. It was created in 1979 when Georgia Power completed the construction of the Wallace Dam on the Oconee River. Lake Oconee is the second largest lake in the state of Georgia. Lake Oconee runs through Georgia's Morgan
, Greene
, and Putnam
counties and is separated from its sister lake, Sinclair
, by Wallace Dam.
Numerous upscale housing developments and resorts communities have been built on the banks of the lake since 1979, including Harbor Club, Reynolds Plantation, Galingayle and Cuscowilla. Lake Oconee is also well-known for its golf courses, including Harbor Club which was awarded by Golfweek "top 10 places to play in Georgia" in 2009 and the Golf Club at Cuscowilla, ranked in the top 3 "Best Residential Courses" by Golfweek magazine since 2002.
Oconee
is a Creek
word meaning "great waters." Oconee is also known to mean "people of the skunk." The word is made by combining two Creek words 'O' meaning "people of" or "nation of" and 'Conee' meaning the "skunk."
Lake Oconee is Georgia's second largest lake, alluring boaters into the picturesque water to wakeboard, tube, ski, fish, swim and play outside. The sunrises and sunsets of Georgia are daily celebrations for residents of Lake Oconee.
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
in central Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
on the Oconee River
Oconee River
The Oconee River is a river which has its origin in Hall County, Georgia, and terminates where it joins the Ocmulgee River to form the Altamaha River near Lumber City at the borders of Montgomery County, Wheeler County, and Jeff Davis County. South of Athens, two forks, known as the North Oconee...
near Greensboro
Greensboro, Georgia
Greensboro is a town in Greene County, Georgia, United States. Its population was 3,238 at the time of the 2000 U.S. census. This town is the county seat of Greene County.-Geography:Greensboro is located at .According to the U.S...
and Eatonton
Eatonton, Georgia
Eatonton is a city in Putnam County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 6,480. The city is the county seat of Putnam County. It was named after William Eaton, an officer and diplomat involved in the First Barbary War...
. It was created in 1979 when Georgia Power completed the construction of the Wallace Dam on the Oconee River. Lake Oconee is the second largest lake in the state of Georgia. Lake Oconee runs through Georgia's Morgan
Morgan County, Georgia
Morgan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 15,457. The 2005 Census Estimate shows a population of 17,492. The county seat is Madison, Georgia.-Geography:...
, Greene
Greene County, Georgia
Greene County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 3, 1786. As of 2000, the population is 14,406. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 15,662. The county seat is Greensboro...
, and Putnam
Putnam County, Georgia
Putnam County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 18,812. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 21,251...
counties and is separated from its sister lake, Sinclair
Lake Sinclair
Lake Sinclair is a man-made lake in central Georgia near Milledgeville. It is operated by Georgia Power.- Location :Located in the central region of Georgia, on the Oconee River, Lake Sinclair stretches through the counties of Baldwin, Hancock, and Putnam, Lake Sinclair was created in 1953...
, by Wallace Dam.
Numerous upscale housing developments and resorts communities have been built on the banks of the lake since 1979, including Harbor Club, Reynolds Plantation, Galingayle and Cuscowilla. Lake Oconee is also well-known for its golf courses, including Harbor Club which was awarded by Golfweek "top 10 places to play in Georgia" in 2009 and the Golf Club at Cuscowilla, ranked in the top 3 "Best Residential Courses" by Golfweek magazine since 2002.
Oconee
Oconee
Oconee may refer to:* the Oconee tribe, Hitchiti speakers that became part of the Seminole and Creek nations* the Oconee War* the Oconee Nuclear Generating Station in South CarolinaOconi was the name of a branch of the Timucua tribe in Florida....
is a Creek
Creek language
The Creek language, also known as Muskogee or Muscogee , is a Muskogean language spoken by Muscogee and Seminole people primarily in the U.S. states of Oklahoma and Florida....
word meaning "great waters." Oconee is also known to mean "people of the skunk." The word is made by combining two Creek words 'O' meaning "people of" or "nation of" and 'Conee' meaning the "skunk."
Recreation
Lake Oconee has a sand bar that attracts crowds of boaters during the weekends. Bird watching is also a great activity around the lake. Hummingbirds, ospreys, eagles, woodpeckers, and other birds can be spotted frequently.Lake Oconee is Georgia's second largest lake, alluring boaters into the picturesque water to wakeboard, tube, ski, fish, swim and play outside. The sunrises and sunsets of Georgia are daily celebrations for residents of Lake Oconee.