Even before the rain began this past weekend, the Hard Labor Creek Reservoir reached full pool. On May 18, 2018, it was officially recorded as “full.” And with a week more of rain, it is now overflowing the spillway.
What began as a plan in the 1990’s was completed in the summer of 2015 when the reservoir began filling up. The following year, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources began stocking the reservoir and this spring, it was opened up to fishing.
The official groundbreaking of the construction of Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir was Oct. 4, 2013. The purpose of the project, a joint venture between Oconee and Walton counties was to provide a sustainable water supply for Walton and Oconee counties through 2050. Residents got to witness what had previously been land gradually disappear under water. The road was realigned, the largest bridge in Walton County built to cross the reservoir and eventually the recreation area opened to the public.
The partnership is divided as 71.2 percent to Walton County and 28.8 percent to Oconee County.
Photo gallery of HLCR at full pool – contributed photos
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