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A ramp at Clark Creek Campground provides
access to the southwestern portions of Lake Allatoona from I75.
From Atlanta use the Glade Road exit, turn right and look for
the park sign on the right before you cross over the lake bridge
(2 or 3 miles). This ramp remains open when the lake is down
8', but status is not yet known when the lake is at lower levels.
Note that this is an unmanned fee area so bring a few dollars
cash to deposit in the drop-box.
When Alltoona is down 8' or more (typical
during the non-summer months) a large area of mud flats with
few obstacles exist in the Clark Creek basin. Downstream from
Clark Creek an interesting and scenic section exists where the
lake necks down to a tight section about 50' wide with an almost
sheer rock cliff on the right hand side. Continue downstream
and the water will soon open up to the main body of Lake Allatoona.
Turn left here if you want to go upstream to Tanyard Creek or
Allatoona Creek.
Tanyard Creek is the first creek on
the left when travelling upstream on Lake Allatoona from Clark
Creek. After a short run of a mile or so you will encounter Tanyard
Creek Road. If Lake Allatoona Lake is down approx. 8', passage
through a 9' corregated pipe running under the road is feasible.
Do proceed with caution as sediment in the pipe may make overhead
clearance more of an issue on the upstream side than downstream.
Upstream of this pipe is a sandy flat some 25 acres in size,
part of which is a public beach when the lake is up to normal
level. Continued passage up Tanyard Creek is not feasible due
to the size of the pipe running under I75.
Continue upstream on Lake Allatoona from Tanyard Creek about
2 miles and you will pass under the I75 bridge. Another 2 miles
upstream from here and you will see the back side of the Lake
Acworth Dam on your left. Lake Ackworth is a small lake which
is 8' above the full-pool level of Allatoona. If Allatoona were
7' or more above full pool it would be possible to cross over
the dam into Lake Acworth. It should be noted, however, that
motorboats are not allowed on Acworth.
Continue upstream on Allatoona another 3/4 mile and you will
cross under Hwy 41 and into an area which Atlanta Ski Club uses
to practice and hold competative events. This entire area is
quite shallow when the lake is at normal level and is generally
mud/sand all winter. Beware of cable anchors on the lake bottom
in the immediate area of the Ski Club (on the right after passing
under the bridge). Interesting flats and creek cruising opportunities
exist well above the Hwy 41 bridge when the lake level is low.
Passage several miles up Allatoona Creek is feasible if (and
only if) the lake is well above its normal level. |
