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 The future of Walton County, Oconee County and northeast Georgia is growing brighter every day, and the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir Project is a shining example of the leadership and vision required to accommodate the current and future water supply needs of a growing population while maintaining our current quality of life. In the wake of the worst drought in Georgia history, Walton and Oconee County have formed a critical regional partnership to provide for the water supply needs of their existing and future residents, as well as adjacent communities.
Upon completion, the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir will have a pool area of 1,370 acres, a storage volume of 12 billion gallons, and provide a peak day water supply capacity of 62 million gallons per day. The Reservoir is critical to meeting future water supply needs, but will also provide recreational and other benefits for local residents.
We welcome your visit, and hope that the project information and resources provided on this site are both helpful and informative.
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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 63 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.
PDF OF PROJECT SUMMARY DOCUMENT
MORE DETAILS
- Length of Shore Line: 37 miles
- Pool Area: 1,370 acres
- 12 billion gallon capacity
- 95 ft approximate height of dam
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 The Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir Management Board meets at 1:00 PM on the third Tuesday of each month, at the office of the Walton County Water and Sewerage Authority, 2171 Highway 81, Loganville, Georgia, 30052. All meetings are open to the public.
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Recent Updates
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Project Photos
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Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE
On July 7, 2008, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) formally issued the Water Withdrawal Permits for both the Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir and the Apalachee River Diversion. The permits provide for a maximum daily withdrawal of 62.1 million gallons per day from the reservoir, and 60 million gallons per day from the Apalachee River based on available stream flow.
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News Stories
Published May 28, 2008
WALTON COUNTY - Recent talks with state officials and a look at the competitive grant process for state funding for the reservoir has Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir Management Board members feeling good about the chances of obtaining some state funding.
"Based on our discussion with (Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority) officials, the rating criteria established in the competitive grant program and GEFA's desire to fund three to four regional reservoir projects that will have a short term impact on water supply capacity, we are very optimistic that the Hard Labor Creek Project will receive at least some grant funding for dam construction," said Kevin Little, chairman of the Walton County Board of Commissioners and the reservoir management board.
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Community
Although a final decision has not been made on the recreational activities that will be provided in the area of Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir, the proposed activities will likely include: electric or self-propelled boats, fishing, picnicking, camping in specified areas, and other passive recreational uses. Because the reservoir’s primary purpose is drinking water supply, there will be some limits to recreational activities to protect water quality.Activities that will not be allowed include: the use of boats powered by gas, diesel, or other internal combustion engines; swimming, diving, snorkeling, or scuba diving; and hunting.
The Reservoir Management Plan has been approved by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and is available in PDF Version.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Although a final decision has not been made on the recreational activities that will be provided in the area of Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir, the proposed activities will likely include: electric or self-propelled boats, fishing, picnicking, camping in specified areas, and other passive recreational uses. Because the reservoir’s primary purpose is drinking water supply, there will be some limits to recreational activities to protect water quality.Activities that will not be allowed include: the use of boats powered by gas, diesel, or other internal combustion engines; swimming, diving, snorkeling, or scuba diving; and hunting.
The Reservoir Management Plan has been approved by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and is available in PDF Version.
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