Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir


Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir is a artificial reservoir in a region on the south-east side of unincorporated Walton County, Georgia, United States, near both Social Circle and Rutledge, about east of Atlanta. It features a Category I earthen dam constructed primarily for municipal water supply, with a secondary consideration of recreation, on Hard Labor Creek. The dam is approximately long, wide, and high, with a spillway crest elevation of above mean sea level.
First proposed in 1997, built in response to the growing controversy over the Tri-state water dispute, the State of Georgia with its 52 watershed regions drains primarily into either the Gulf of Mexico, or the Atlantic, with the reservoir existing in the Upper Oconee River watershed, which ultimately drains into the latter.

History

March 9, 2018 was the calendar date for public fishing Grand Opening.
Walton County Engine 12 fire rescue is based off the edge boundary of the parking lot inside the gates to the reservoir's boat ramp area.

Recreation

The shores of the reservoir are private property although the management hopes to acquire picnic-table areas in the future. There is day parking, a boat ramp facility and modern rest room houses in operation. The reservoir and the parking area are gated and closed at night by a chain link barrier. Overnight occupancy or use of the lake is prohibited at any time other than the designated dawn-to-dusk boating/fishing hours.