Georgia's newest lake

Metro Atlanta

Georgia's newest lake

Georgia's newest body of water is nearly ready to fill. Construction of Hickory Log Creek Dam in Canton wraps up in about 10 days.

One of metro Atlanta's newest reservoirs, the one at HIckory Log Creek in Canton, is awaiting final inspections and completion of pumping stations on the Etowah River.

A dozen new water supply reservoirs are already underway in Georgia, seven of them in metro Atlanta. Hickory Log Creek Reservoir should be ready next year to start supplementing supplies for the city of Canton and the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority.

With no end to the drought in sight, one clear answer has emerged on how the state plans to deal with north Georgia's historic drought: Build more reservoirs.

House Bill 1226 would create a state division for the sole purpose of building new ones and expanding old ones, while Senate Bill 342 would create a funding mechanism for the state to pay up to 40 percent of the costs.

Back in December, construction was nearly complete on the reservoir. By March, there is currently about 20 acres of water in the reservoir from rain run off and Hickory Log Creek.

At 410 acres, Hickory Log Creek cost Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority and the city of Canton more than $100 million, a cost that will be repaid by consumers.

After about a year of grading, clearing and other work, construction started on the concrete dam in December, said Chuck Kahler, construction manager for Schnabel Engineering. Kahler is pictured here inside the dam.

Looking down stream from the top of the reservoir. The ongoing drought had reduced Hickory Log Creek to a trickle.

The Canton water system, which is paying 25 percent of the project costs, has dibs on up to 11 million gallons a day. "It will provide the city's drinking water for the next 50 years," said acting Canton City Manager Robert Logan.

The standard concrete used in dam construction is more like damp sand. Using this cement allowed workers to add as much as three feet a day to the pale gray monolith.

Luis Bustamante moves steel on top of the main dam.

The walkway on top of the dam at the new Hickory Log Creek Reservoir. The dam is 180 feet tall.

Most of the proposed and recently built reservoirs are relatively small. They tend to fall in a range from about 150 acres to 800 acres. Gone are the days of Lanier-sized reservoirs. Lanier covers about 38,000 acres.

The wall to hold back the water was finished in June. The dam, however, is only part of the $100 million water project. Still under construction is a pumping station on the banks of the Etowah River -- behind the Waffle House at Riverstone Parkway and I-575.

The Canton First Baptist Church can be seen from the top of the dam.

But are the reservoirs enough to drought-proof the metro region, with room to grow? No one knows for sure.

1/16

One of metro Atlanta's newest reservoirs, the one at HIckory Log Creek in Canton, is awaiting final inspections and completion of pumping stations on the Etowah River.

Today's Gallery Headlines

Spring training Day 5 (Saturday)

PHOTOS: Day 5 of spring training for the Braves

18m ago

Valentines for Veterans

Metro Atlanta students write valentines to veterans

GHSA Championship, Dance, Akins Ford Arena, Athens

PHOTOS: Georgia teams dance way to state championships

Spring Training Day 3 (Thursday)

PHOTOS: Day 3 of Spring Training for Braves

More Galleries

World Cup draw party TKTKT

PHOTOS: Fans attend 2026 World Cup draw party in Atlanta

Randy Beck

'No body' homicide cases in Georgia

Stitch rendering 2025

PHOTOS: Renderings of Stitch project over Atlanta's Downtown Connector

People are silhouetted against a huge Pride flag before the start of the Atlanta Pride Parade on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Photos: Atlanta Pride Parade 2025