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Work was begun on the Blue Ridge dam by the Toccoa Electric Power Company in 1925. In 1931, newly created Lake Toccoa began producing hydroelectricity for the region. In 1934, Lake Toccoa was renamed to "Lake Blue Ridge". At the time it was built, the dam was the largest earthen dam in the Southeast. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) purchased the facility in 1939 for hydroelectric power production. Today, TVA owns approximately 18 miles of shoreline, including the Blue Ridge Dam.
Lake Blue Ridge
Lake Blue Ridge is a 3290-acre lake approximately 90 minutes from Atlanta that is 11 miles long with over 100 miles of lake frontage/shoreline, Tucked away in the North Georgia mountains, near Blue Ridge Georgia it offers boating, swimming, hiking camping, picnicking, water skiing and fishing. The lake shimmers like a sapphire in a green granite setting. The Chattahoochee National Forest surrounds most of the lake and protects it from being over developed.
Except for a few water skiers, most of the visitors come to camp and fish. The prime fishing attractions are bluegill, walleye, and small mouth bass, and even an occasional trout, but what makes the area popular with anglers is that Lake Blue Ridge is the only lake in the state where you can battle the robust muskie, a large game fish of the pike family. Also it is the only lake south of the Great Lakes where Walleye are caught. Thirty-five fish attractors—man-made feeding covers—have been scattered around the coves and creeks. A Georgia Fishing License is required, although a trout stamp is not.
Lake Blue Ridge is fed by the north-flowing Toccoa River. The river flows soothingly for about 15 miles north of the dam. The dam-runoff from the reservoir provides great trout fishing, Fishermen should only wade fish the Toccoa River below the dam when TVA is not generating electricity. The Toccoa River becomes hazardous quickly when they release, so be sure to check the dam release schedule before planning your trip. At the Tennessee state line the river changes its name to the Ocoee and turns into one of the Southeast's most spirited whitewater streams for rafting and kayaking Home of the Centennial Olympic Games kayaking venue and visitors center.
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