Lake Lanier, officially known as Lake Sidney Lanier, is a large reservoir located in the northern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is situated about 60 miles northeast of Atlanta and spans across five counties: Hall (60%), Forsyth (30%), Dawson (5%), Gwinnett (4%), and Lumpkin (1%). The lake covers approximately 38,000 acres of water with nearly 690 miles of shoreline

. The lake was created in the 1950s by the construction of Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River and is fed by both the Chattahoochee and Chestatee Rivers. It serves multiple purposes including flood control, water supply, hydroelectricity, and recreation. The nearby towns include Buford to the south, Gainesville to the northeast, and Cumming to the southwest

. Lake Lanier is a popular destination for fishing, boating, camping, and other water sports, attracting millions of visitors annually. It is also known for hosting Olympic canoe and kayak events in 1996 and offers extensive parks and recreational facilities around its shoreline