Jackson Lake (Georgia)

Central Georgia Power Company

Company type	Private company
Industry	Electric power generation
Founded	1907
Founder	Jordan Massee, Sr.
Fate	Acquired by Georgia Power in 1928
Headquarters	United States
Key people	Jordan Massee, Sr., David W. Hilliard
Products	Hydroelectric power

Jackson Lake ranks among the earliest reservoirs established in Georgia and is situated 44 miles southeast of Atlanta, spanning Jasper, Newton, and Butts counties. The reservoir was formed by the construction of Lloyd Shoals Dam in 1910, a project undertaken by the Central Georgia Power Company, originally intended to provide electrical power to Macon. Encompassing roughly 4,750 acres with an extensive shoreline measuring 135 miles, the lake serves both hydroelectric power generation and recreational activities such as boating, wakeboarding, fishing, and various water sports. Its water sources include the Yellow, Alcovy, and South rivers, with Tussahaw Creek contributing as a tributary. Water from the lake discharges into the Ocmulgee River downstream of the dam.

Lloyd Shoals Dam

In 1907, Jordan Massee, Sr. acquired control of the Macon Railway and Light Company and subsequently established Bibb Power Company, which was later renamed Central Georgia Power Company. The firm secured property from Captain William F. Smith in Butts County to construct the dam. Clearing of the reservoir basin was carried out by Theodore Ellis and a team from Macon, necessitating the relocation of local farming families. Initially, laborers were housed in tents until more permanent cabins were erected.

Despite financial obstacles during this period, Massee successfully raised capital by persuading A. B. Leach & Company to underwrite bond sales. He organized a site visit for approximately 200 bankers from northern states, resulting in investments from prominent financial institutions including Pittsburgh Trust Company and Bank of Scotland representatives.

Construction oversight was provided by David W. Hilliard, with hundreds of workers employed in dual shifts to complete the dam by 1911. The structure measures 100 feet in height and extends 1,070 feet in length using concrete masonry. Electrical transmission lines were installed to supply power to Macon as well as Forsyth, Griffin, Barnesville, rural areas of Bibb County, and Jackson.

The initial filling process of the reservoir was gradual and led to stagnant water areas that caused malaria outbreaks, which discouraged some residents from settling nearby. Early water quality was compromised by sedimentation due to shoreline erosion but improved over time. The advent of electric power stimulated economic development within Jackson and Butts County, attracting manufacturing such as soft drink bottling operations and the Jackson Ice Corporation.

Originally outfitted with four generators each rated at 2,400 kilowatts, two additional units were added by 1917 to reach a total capacity of 14,400 kilowatts; subsequent upgrades have increased this capacity to 21,000 kilowatts.

In 1928, Georgia Power purchased Central Georgia Power Company along with other regional utilities. Initially maintaining full operational staff at Lloyd Shoals Dam, Georgia Power later incorporated it into the Central Georgia Power Group in 1978; it remains the sole facility on the Ocmulgee River within this group.

A significant fire occurred in January 1983 causing extensive damage to the powerhouse; reconstruction efforts completed in 1984 involved an investment of $2.8 million that included rewinding Generator 6 and replacing electrical wiring and transformers. The dam structure itself sustained no harm. Presently, maintenance activities are coordinated from nearby Wallace Dam.

Fishing

Jackson Lake supports a diverse population of fish species such as white catfish, bullhead catfish, channel catfish, blue catfish; black crappie and white crappie; redear sunfish and redbreast sunfish; bluegill; spotted bass; largemouth bass; striped bass; as well as hybrid bass varieties.

External links

• at GNIS