Lake Lanier Georgia - Lake Lanier Drought Marinas Parks

Feel like you've heard this story before?

You're not alone. These fights are springing up all over Lake Lanier as the pace of development increases. The latest dispute is on the Cleveland Highway, on the north end of Lake Lanier.

Potential Toll Road Route from i75 to Lake Lanier

There are suggestions that the highway could be paid for by private companies that would get repaid by tolls.

• What are the most popular restaurants and marinas on the lake?
• What's the best place on the lake to fish?
• What are the best and worst things about Lake Lanier?

We aim to answer all these questions and more via the 1st Annual Lake Lanier Survey.

What is more .... take this quick 10 question survey about Lake Lanier and you get free entry into a prize draw. We have Lake Lanier books, restaurant gift vouchers and even cash prizes.

What are you waiting for? Take the survey now!

There's a new addition to the list of books about Lake Lanier.

"The Home Place" is a novel by by Mike Addington based on two mysterious deaths in Lake Lanier over 50 years ago. The writer was living in the Gainesville area and was 7 years old when his family received a call in the middle of the night in December 1956. One uncle had been found dead outside of a submerged car in Lake Lanier, while another uncle was missing and also presumed drowned. The bodies of both men were located in a shallow inlet of the lake in Forsyth County.

Tragedy has struck Lake Lanier 10 times in 2007, compared to five in 2006.

The deaths have hit people of all ages from teenagers to senior citizens. Alcohol was a factor in three deaths. Seven were not wearing life jackets. One was hit by a boat, another had a heart attack while skiing.

The Corps of Engineers is responding by adding more rangers to patrol the lake. The Corps routinely has 10 staffers devoted to water safety. As of this weekend and through October, that number jumps to 15.

The Corps of Engineers has just announced they will extend their moratorium on new boat dock applications another three months. Initially enacted on April 27th and planned to last until late July, the Corps temporarily stopped taking applications to process its backlog.

However, due to recent boating fatalities and drownings the Corps' priority this summer is water safety. More rangers will be visible on the beaches and in boats, working enhanced water safety patrols, especially on weekends now through the Labor Day holiday. With more rangers working water safety patrol for the summer, fewer are working shoreline management, thus resulting in a longer wait for dock permits.

Bald Ridge Marina in 1959

If any of you know anything more about this, we'd love to hear from you in the comment section.

The New Yorks Times reported the story in this way:

"A small but powerful tornado churned across a resort area on Lake Lanier today, overturning boats and damaging docks and buildings on the shore. A dozen persons were reported injured.

The highway patrol had reported as many as seven persons missing on the lake where boats were flipped over and their occupants spilled into the water. Later the patrol reported all had been accounted for.

Most of the injuries apparently occurred ashore where the twister's force at Bald Ridge Marina, a boat dock, lifted roofs and hurled debris.

The tornado struck on a hot, muggy afternoon and the swarms of pleasure boaters on the lake had no warning."

Looking for a new house with a beautiful view of Lake Lanier, plenty of space and complete privacy? Have $6.35 million to spend? If not, you can at least take a peak at what homes in that price range look like.

The home lies on the north end of the lake, in Forsyth County on Swiss Air Rd. It comes with a dizzying array of features:

• 17,000 square foot home on a 3.5 acre lot
• Eight bedrooms, 12 bathrooms
• Four car garage
• Swimming pool that overlooks Lake Lanier.
  
• Five open porches, four covered patios, and an outdoor entertaining area.
  
• In-law suite, exercise room, home theatre, a brick oven, library, bar & billiards room, and six fireplaces.
  
• View corridor with 106 feet of Lake Lanier property.
  

If you want to see the house, there's a video and photo slideshow available online:

• See slideshow pictures of the house
• See video of the house