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Planning for the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir Project was initiated in the early 1990’s by the Walton County Board of Commissioners. The Hard Labor Creek site was selected following a thorough and detailed evaluation of various water supply alternatives and other potential reservoir sites within Walton and surrounding Counties. At the recommendation of Georgia EPD, additional studies were performed in 1995 to identify the potential use of the Hard Labor Creek site as a regional reservoir project, to include an additional diversion from the Apalachee River which lies 13.5 miles north of the reservoir.
The results of these additional studies indicated that the Hard Labor Creek site could support high yield regional project with an average day water supply yield of 41.4 million gallons per day (MGD), and a peak day water supply yield of 62 MGD. After a lengthy permitting process, the United States Army Corps of Engineers issued a 404 permit for construction of the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir in February 2004.
Project partners currently include the Walton County Water and Sewerage Authority (71%, 29.4 MGD,) and the Oconee County Board of Commissioners (29%, 12.0 MGD). Other regional utility systems have expressed an interest in purchasing long term water supply from the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir Project including the Barrow County Board of Commissioners, the City of Winder, the City of Loganville, the City of Social Circle, and the Morgan County Board of Commissioners.
The Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir Project will serve to meet the critical future water supply needs of Walton County, Oconee County, and adjacent communities in Northeast Georgia.
MORE DETAILS
- Length of Shore Line: 42 miles
- Pool Area: 1,367 acres
- 12 billion gallon capacity
- 98 ft approximate height of dam
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The Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir will provide many benefits for the citizens of Walton County, Oconee County and Northeast Georgia.
- Water Supply – Provides long term water supply for current and future residents through the year 2060
- Economic Development – Provides water supply to support commercial and industrial development.
- Quality of Life – Provides aesthetic and recreational opportunities
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The Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir Project will be implemented over a 40-50 year period based on cumulative demands and water system growth in Walton, Oconee and the surrounding region. A tentative schedule for project implementation of Phase I is presented below.
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Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir – Phase I Project Schedule
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Phase 1 (Includes Reservoir and 14 MGD WTF)
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Start
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Completion
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Land Acquisition
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2005
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2013
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Reservoir Design/Construction
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2013
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2015
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Reservoir Fills
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2015
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2016
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