When people think of Georgia Power, their first thought might be their electric bill, crews in bucket trucks fixing power lines or even large electric generating plants. However, for many people and visitors in Georgia, Georgia Power is the reason they can enjoy fishing, hunting, camping and boating in this great state.

“I believe that Georgia Power is the largest non-government provider of recreational facilities in the state,” said Glenn Ivie, manager of Georgia Power’s Land Management group.

The power company is the steward of 14 reservoirs in Georgia, which include some of the finest bass fishing lakes in the state. Not only does Georgia Power maintain the quality of the lakes, it also provides numerous recreational facilities and services from boat ramps to picnic areas to full-service campgrounds.

In the northeast corner of the state, Georgia Power has six lakes in the vicinity of the Tallulah Gorge. At Lake Burton, Georgia Power has Timpson Cove Beach, which has swimming and bath facilities, and Murray Cove Boat Launch. There is also a state-owned campground at Moccasin Creek Park. At nearby Lake Seed, Georgia Power maintains a primitive campground, swimming beach and boat launch facility.

At Tallulah Falls Lake and Gorge, Georgia Power and the state operate Tallulah Gorge State Park. The park offers a full-service campground, playgrounds, a swimming beach, trails, an interpretive center and outstanding views of the gorge. “This is a one-of-a-kind partnership between a utility and a state agency to operate this park,” according to Ivie.

Georgia Power also has a strong presence in central Georgia with four lakes, including three of its largest reservoirs, Lake Oconee, Lake Sinclair and Lake Jackson. Lake Oconee features three full-service campgrounds at Lawrence Shoals, Old Salem and Park’s Ferry Park. Georgia Power maintains boat launching areas at all three parks, plus three other points of entry into the lake.

Lake Sinclair, near Milledgeville, offers some of the best fall and winter fishing in the state and has numerous privately owned service facilities available. Georgia Power also provides an outstanding Tailrace fishing area below the dam near Milledgeville.

At Lake Jackson near Covington, Georgia Power maintains a boat launch and dock, a swimming area and picnic facilities at Lloyd Shoals Park and additional picnic sites at Riverside Park. Bank fishing is also an attraction at the Tailrace fishing area on the west side of the river. A fourth central Georgia reservoir is Lake Juliette near Forsyth, which features is a full-service campground, boat launch and picnic facilities at Dames Ferry Park and a picnic area and boat launch at Holly Grove recreation area.

Georgia Power has three lakes in the Columbus area: Bartletts Ferry, Goat Rock Lake and Lake Oliver. At Bartletts Ferry there is a full-service campground with hook-ups, a boat launch and other fishing facilities, and picnic areas. Boat launch facilities also are located at Chattahoochee Valley Park and Idle Hour Park. Additional boat-launching facilities are at two points on Goat Rock Lake, Sandy Point Park and Goat Rock Marina. The power company doesn’t maintain facilities at Lake Oliver, however, there is a city-owned marina and boat launch facility at the lake.

Lake Worth near Albany features the state owned Chehaw Park. Georgia Power also provides a picnic area and fishing pier for the public’s enjoyment.

“Public safety is, of course, one of Georgia Power’s top concerns at all these lakes and recreational facilities,” Ivie said. “We want everyone who uses these areas to enjoy themselves and to have a safe visit.”

In addition to the numerous lakes, Georgia Power also leases about 30,000 acres of prime hunting land to the state of Georgia for use as wildlife management areas which are operated by the Wildlife Resources Division of the Department of Natural Resources.

“Our land provides a habitat for many of Georgia’s endangered plant and animal species and also preserves public hunting areas for our state’s sportsmen,” Ivie said. “The recreational facilities and wildlife management areas are just part of Georgia Power’s effort to be a good corporate citizen in Georgia.”

For information about facilities or hours of operations at any of Georgia Power’s lakes or parks call 1-888-GPC-LAKE (1-888-472-5253).

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