Lake Oliver
| Industry | Energy |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1959 |
| Founder | Georgia Power |
| Headquarters | Columbus , United States |
| Products | Hydroelectric power |
| Owner | Georgia Power |
Lake Oliver is a reservoir formed on the Chattahoochee River by the construction of the Oliver Dam and Generating Plant, which was finished in 1959 under the management of Georgia Power. The dam, named in honor of James McCoy Oliver, a former executive at Georgia Power, includes four turbine units, rises to a height of 70 feet, and stretches across the river.
Situated entirely within the city limits of Columbus, Georgia, Lake Oliver's shoreline is heavily developed on both the Georgia and Alabama sides. This development includes the affluent Green Island Hills neighborhood located near Standing Boy Creek. Public access points are scarce, with only one marina operated by Columbus available for general use, while numerous private docks serve the surrounding residential areas.
The lake is a hub for recreational activities during the summer months and functions as the primary municipal water source for Columbus. Outside of summer, fishing—particularly for sunfish—is a popular pastime. Positioned close to the Fall Line of the Chattahoochee River, the dam lies upstream from a nearly 100-foot elevation drop descending toward downtown Columbus.
At its northern terminus, Lake Oliver serves as the starting point for the Chattahoochee Riverwalk, a 15-mile-long bike trail that extends southward to Fort Moore.