Lake Allatoona is a popular recreational destination located in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains, primarily within Bartow and Cherokee counties. Created by damming the Etowah River through U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' efforts, this reservoir was officially opened for public use on December 1, 1950.

Spanning approximately 12,000 acres with over 270 miles of shoreline when at full pool level (840 feet above sea level), Lake Allatoona offers diverse activities such as boating, fishing, swimming and camping across its expansive waterscape. The lake's size fluctuates based on seasonal rainfall patterns but remains one of Georgia's largest bodies of water providing both hydroelectricity generation and flood control benefits to surrounding communities.

The area around Lake Allatoona includes numerous parks like Red Top Mountain State Park which enhances its natural beauty while offering additional amenities including hiking trails and picnic areas. As an integral part not only for recreation but also wildlife conservation; it supports various species making it ecologically significant beyond human enjoyment.

Lake Allatoona is situated in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains, approximately 30 miles northwest of Atlanta. The area surrounding Lake Allatoona features rolling hills and dense forests that are typical of the southeastern United States, with a mix of deciduous hardwoods like oaks and maples as well as evergreen pines providing lush greenery throughout much of the year. Created by damming the Etowah River in 1949 for flood control, hydroelectric power generation, water supply, and recreation purposes under U.S Army Corps Engineers management; its shoreline stretches over more than 200 miles encompassing diverse habitats including wetlands along coves to rocky bluffs overlooking deep blue waters. This reservoir has become an outdoor haven offering boating opportunities fishing spots camping areas hiking trails making it popular destination both locals tourists seeking natural beauty recreational activities within proximity metropolitan Atlanta's urban landscape

Created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1940s for flood control, hydroelectric power generation, and water supply, Allatoona Dam impounded a reservoir on the Etowah River. The land surrounding it was primarily rural with agricultural use before its transformation into a recreational area.

Prior to federal ownership and dam construction during World War II, much of this territory belonged to local farmers and indigenous peoples such as Cherokee tribes who were forcibly removed following treaties like New Echota (1835). Historical features within what is now known as Red Top Mountain State Park include remnants from early iron mining operations dating back to the mid-1800s; these are evidenced through old mine shafts and pits scattered throughout.

The park itself was established after WWII when recreation became more central in American life. It offers historical interpretation alongside leisure activities: hiking trails lead visitors past homestead sites while an interpretive center recounts regional history including Native American heritage and Civil War events that unfolded nearby.

In recent decades, conservation efforts have balanced human enjoyment with ecological preservation across its over 12,000 acres encompassing both terrestrial habitats along shorelines plus aquatic ecosystems beneath surface waters.