1999 Map of Buford Dam

About this map

Lake Sidney Lanier dominates the landscape where the corners of Forsyth, Hall, and Gwinnett counties meet, shaped by the massive Buford Dam at the southern end of the reservoir. This late-century update reveals a region defined by water-based recreation and utility, with the Chattahoochee River flowing south from the dam through the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Local spiritual life is well-documented through several historic congregations, including Antioch Ch and Ebenezer Ch near the city of Cumming, and Beaver Ruin Ch tucked among the fingers of the lake. The map details a complex shoreline of inlets and islands, such as Bowmans Island and Island Ford, alongside modern infrastructure like the Buford Trout Hatchery and numerous campgrounds that transformed this river valley into a major recreational hub.