We Are One Of The Lucky Few To Experience A Guided Tour Of The Buford Dam Power House At Lake Lanier!

Many thanks to Nick Baggett with the United States Army Corps of Engineers office at Buford Dam! Mr. Baggett set up a full tour of the Power House facility at Buford Dam. The Corps of Engineers does very few tours of this facility, and I must say that this one was a very special treat. For security reasons, photos are not allowed to be taken at most of the facility, but we were allowed to take a few photos from the observation deck on top facing the lake and from the river observation area facing downstream into the Chattahoochee River.

View of West Bank Park from Buford Dam @ Lake Lanier.

View from the lower level of Power House down the Chattahoochee River as water exits the dam.

View of West Bank Park from Buford Dam @ Lake Lanier.

The Lake Lanier Buford Dam Power House was built in the early 1950s when Lake Lanier was initially constructed. It was truly fascinating to go through the entire facility and see the remarkable construction and craftsmanship that went into building the dam and Power House.  I saw lots of working equipment with familiar names like General Electric and Westinghouse. Items that were still in use, clean, well-kept and almost perfectly conditioned as they likely were at installation time in the 1950s!  Large-scale items designed to lift heavy equipment were observed in many areas of the facility. It was a bit of a walk back in time. We toured many of the floors of the powerhouse as well as walking through damp tunnels surrounded by stone and traveling up an old, small elevator as we ascended from floor to floor. Once again, just a fascinating tour, almost like walking back into a time capsule. However, despite its age, the Power House is functioning quite well today, and it provides power that is used in many of the surrounding counties and communities. A testament to the longevity and the quality of what Americans can build! From the 1950s until today and still operating quite well!

After touring the Power House, we were taken to the United States Army Corps of Engineers office at Lake Lanier. Once we arrived at the office, we got a chance to meet some of the staffers in the Parks and Recreation Division as well as in the Shoreline Management Division. As you would expect, many agents had lots of questions for the folks over in Shoreline Management. As always, everyone in the Corps' office was helpful and very knowledgeable about answering our questions. They urged us to make sure that all of our clients reach out to the Shoreline Management Division when considering the purchase of a waterfront property that has a dock permit. This process can be initiated via email or via a phone call to the Shoreline Management Division. It's a great way for clients that are new to Lake Lanier to understand the permitting process, what they will need to do in order to put the dock permit in their name, and to make sure that the permit is in good order and free of current violations.

Again, I really want to thank Nick for treating us as a special group and providing us access to a facility that very few people are ever allowed to see. What an enjoyable and educational day! Here are a few more photos from the trip!

View from the lower level of Power House down the Chattahoochee River as water exits the dam.

View from the lower level of Power House down the Chattahoochee River as water exits the dam.

View from the lower level of Power House down the Chattahoochee River as water exits the dam.

Lake Sidney Lanier Homes is the most comprehensive online source for information on Lake Lanier homes for sale and Lake Lanier area real estate. View the latest Lake Lanier home listings, foreclosures, lots, land, sales trends and real estate topics on Lake Lanier. Arthur Prescott is an Accredited Buyer's Representative and Certified Residential Specialist with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties. He has over a decade of Lake Lanier real estate experience. If you would like to schedule a free buyer or seller consultation, please feel free to contact us directly at www.LakeSidneyLanierHomes.com or 770-844-8484 or email us at Arthur.Prescott@BHHSGeorgia.com.

Another Fun Day Of Real Estate And A View Of The Cove At 4670 Enota Court On Lake Lanier!

We had another fun day today in our real estate work at Lake Lanier. For most of the morning I was out at 4670 Enota Court in Gainesville. We just put this property under contract with our buyer and today was inspection day at the property.

Property Listings

4670 ENOTA Court Gainesville, GA MLS Number: 5189481 Listing Price: $295,000 Status: Contingent View Details

We started the day meeting with Shane Gauthier from BPG Inspections and John Davis with Arrow Exterminators. They gave us a thorough inspection of the property. Overall we visited for about two and a half hours as we got updates on all the aspects and condition of the home.

After the inspection, I am happy to report that we were able to visit with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lake Lanier office to get an update on the status of the dock permit at the property. As many of you may know, the Shoreline Management Department at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is now only open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Because of budget cutbacks they are limited in staff, and they are limited on times when they are open. Nonetheless, we were able to meet with our friend, Jack Taylor, who is a ranger in the Shoreline Management Division. He gave us all the information that we needed in order to be prepared for a potential dock re-permit in my client's name. We were able to look at sophisticated satellite imagery of the shoreline and of the dock presently located at the property. Jack provided all of the details that we needed, and it was a great visit.

Even though I was busy with the inspection at the property earlier today, I managed a few moments to walk down to the shoreline at 4670 Enota Court. I took a few photos of the cove as it looked this morning. The scenery was just beautiful and very calm. I suspect this is a wonderful protected Cove for swimming and for fishing!  It looked very inviting this morning with water that was just a perfect emerald green!  Enjoy a look at the photos!

Morning view of the cove at 4670 Enota Court in Gainesville!

Nice single-slip, covered dock with large deck and 40 foot ramp.

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Rules & Regulations For Pathways And Steps To The Shoreline On Lake Lanier! Here Are The Safety Concerns & What You Need To Know!

We showed a number of waterfront homes on Lake Lanier yesterday in the rain.  My client and I were well prepared for the inclement weather and made great time and success with our property tours!  We planned for our outing ahead of time and dressed for the weather!  While I am generally agreeable to showing homes in the rain, doing so on Lake Lanier can truly present some challenges and safety concerns, especially if the weather turns down right nasty.  For example, most folks would think twice about standing on a metal, steel or aluminum dock over water with lightning and thunderstorms nearby. Probably not a great idea!

In addition, one should consider safety when approaching the shoreline on steep lots where wooden steps may become very slick.  It is not uncommon to find steps of this condition on properties where the topography is so steep that there may be 100-125 of these steps straight down to the water.  Without handrails to support your descent, extreme caution or even avoiding the shoreline during these conditions is the rule.  If foul weather is predicted, clients should wear non-skid sole shoes and other appropriate rain gear.  Dress for protection and safety, not the fashion runway!  Think in terms of going on a hike through the woods.

So, with all of the previously mentioned thoughts, today I thought that I would look at the U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Shoreline Management Plan and examine the rules and regs regarding Pathways And Steps to Lake Lanier.  What are the safety concerns?  How are they addressed?  What is allowed?  Here is a look at Section 15.3.11 of the plan for Pathways And Steps.

15.3.11 Pathways and Steps

Meandering pedestrian pathways may be created for access to the permitted facilities at no 
fee. Pathways will follow a meandering route that conforms to the topography as much as 
possible to help prevent erosion, avoid the need for removal of vegetation, and prevent the 
construction of bridges or steps. All work will be completed with hand tools only unless 
otherwise authorized in writing by the Operations Manager. If surface treatment is required 
to prevent erosion or fill depressions, wood chips or on-site forest litter are recommended. If 
erosion is evident due to continued foot traffic and water run off, intermittent water breaks 
may be necessary.

If slopes prohibit safe access by means of a natural path then steps or a bridge creating the 
least environmental impacts may be authorized under permit with a fee. Materials used to 
create these structures must be properly treated and environmentally friendly, no wood 
treated with arsenic will be authorized. All steps must be constructed of at least eight (8) 
inches wide by six (6) inches high material without borders. Every effort should be made to 
prevent continuous running steps. Steps may not be elevated nor create a boardwalk. Steps 
or landings may not be erected in a manner to create patios. Unless the steepness of the slope 
dictates it or handicap needs demand it, steps should be constructed without handrails. All 
steps must be constructed at contour or ground level. If backfilling is required, the surface 
treatment must be wood chips or similar mulch. Landscape timbers are not authorized for 
step construction due to safety considerations. 

Footbridges may only be authorized if there are no other alternatives to provide safe access. 
Footbridges may not exceed four (4) feet in width. All foot bridges more than four (4) feet 
above the surface of the ground must have a handrail. The rails shall be 36-48 inches high 
with an intermediate guardrail approximately one-half the distance below the top rail. The 
pathway permit does not convey the right to use equipment or construct any other structure 
unless specifically authorized.

Pedestrian access lighting may be installed underground following the meandering footpath. 
Permit holders are required to use mushroom style lighting, not to exceed a height of two (2) 
feet. See Exhibit 3, " Requirements for Installation and Use of Electric Service on 
Government Property at Lake Lanier". Existing pathway lighting not meeting this standard 
will require replacement upon repair.

Natural pathways are considered unsafe when the terrain is too steep to safely access the 
shoreline, thus requiring improved steps. Pathways must remain free of stumps, snags and 
other tripping hazards. Steps are considered unsafe and unauthorized when poorly placed or 
constructed so that the step is loose; or when materials are defective damaged, or decaying.

Steep & Deep!  Access to the deep waters of Toto Creek on Lake Lanier!

Lake Sidney Lanier Homes is the most comprehensive online source for information on Lake Lanier homes for sale and Lake Lanier area real estate. View the latest Lake Lanier home listings, foreclosures, lots, land, sales trends and real estate topics on Lake Lanier. Arthur Prescott is an Accredited Buyer's Representative and Certified Residential Specialist with over a decade of Lake Lanier real estate experience. If you would like to schedule a free buyer or seller consultation, please feel free to contact us directly at 678-513-2014 or email us at Arthur.Prescott@BHHSGeorgia.com.

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