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Great Waters at Reynolds Lake Oconee - Oct 2019.jpg
Jim Mandeville · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Lakes → Georgia → Lake Oconee

Lake Oconee

Georgia · Reservoir impounded 1979 · near Greensboro

19,000 acres 60 ft deep 6 ft clarity Water D
Compare
6.0SCORE
Survey summary · Georgia
19,000
Surface acres
60 ft
Max depth
374 mi
Shoreline
6 ft
Typical clarity
435 ft
Elevation

Lake Oconee covers 19,000 acres in Georgia and drops to 60 feet at its deepest point. It is a reservoir impounded in 1979 and managed by Georgia Power. Level is unusually stable, which protects dock usability and shoreline appearance year round. Short-term rental posture: Allowed in most areas. Confirm at the municipal level before underwriting rental income.

What stands out

  • Very stable water level year-round
  • Boating
  • Golf

Watch outs

  • Nutrient-rich water; seasonal algae blooms are possible

Score breakdown

WATER RECREATION VALUE ACCESS INVESTMENT
Water 4.2
Recreation 7.2
Value 4.7
Access 6.1
Investment 8.0

Each axis is computed by published formula from this lake's own attributes. How we score.

Water quality grade
Water A
ExcellentClear, low-nutrient water. Typically oligotrophic with high clarity and little seasonal algae.
Water B
GoodHealthy water with moderate clarity. Some seasonal variation, no persistent problems.
Water C
FairProductive water — good fishing, reduced clarity. Algae possible in late summer.
Water D
PoorNutrient-rich or heavily drawn down. Swimmable conditions vary; check before you rely on them.

Computed from measured clarity, trophic state, and drawdown magnitude — not an opinion. See the formula.

Overall score, 1–10
8.0+
ExceptionalStrong on every axis we measure.
7.0–7.9
StrongClearly above average, usually with one standout axis.
6.0–6.9
SolidA good lake with a trade-off worth understanding.
5.0–5.9
MixedReal strengths and real compromises.
Under 5
CompromisedSomething material — volatility, water quality, or access.

Weighted: water 26% · recreation 22% · investment 20% · value 18% · access 14%.

Fishery

Largemouth bassHybrid bassCrappieCatfish

On the water

BoatingGolfFishingSwimming
Live from USGS gauge 02218565. These are direct sensor readings, not estimates.
23.30 deg C
Temperature
2026-08-04
0.34 ft
Gage height
2026-08-04
5.80 FNU
Turbidity
2026-08-04

Gauge history

Daily values from USGS. Loading up to one year.

Where it is

True shoreline from USGS NHD 71 km²

The outline is this lake's actual boundary from the USGS National Hydrography Dataset, not an approximation — 543 boundary points. Basemap is USGS topographic with contours and hydrography. Switch layers at the top right.

Depth profile

SURFACE 60 ft max avg 19 ft

Idealized cross-section. Max depth 60 ft, average 19 ft. Depth at a specific dock depends on local bathymetry — verify at the property.

Level behaviour

Level stabilityStable Typical drawdown2 ft Drawdown seasonWinter Trophic stateEutrophic Typical clarity6 ft Water quality gradeD Elevation435 ft Managing authorityGeorgia Power

Dock & shoreline

Permitting authorityGeorgia Power Shoreline Wake / speed rulesNo-wake in coves
A dock is never guaranteed. Confirm in writing with Georgia Power Shoreline that the specific parcel is eligible before you remove contingencies.

Short-term rental posture

Allowed in most areas

Generally permitted, but rules change. Confirm the specific municipality and any HOA covenant.
Model rental income →
Modeled estimates. Market figures are derived from lake attributes and regional patterns, not from MLS data. Treat them as a starting point, not a comp.
$480,000
Median waterfront
$2,951
Per shoreline foot
+2.5%
Year over year
195
Est. inventory
77
Avg days on market
$320
Est. nightly rate

Rental snapshot

Modeled occupancy36% Booked nights / yr95 Gross revenue$35,744 Net operating income$15,797 Yield on median price3.29%
Open the full model →

What a median-priced home on Lake Oconee actually costs to carry, with waterfront-specific line items most calculators omit.

$4,119
All-in per month
$110,770
Cash to close + setup
$12,020
Beyond P&I, tax, insurance
Where the annual cost goes
$49,424 PER YEAR
Principal & interest $30,348 (63%) Maintenance reserve (1.1%) $5,280 (11%) Property taxes $5,040 (11%) Utilities $2,700 (6%) Hazard insurance $2,016 (4%) Shoreline / seawall reserve $960 (2%) Dock maintenance $900 (2%) Winterization / seasonal close $750 (2%)

Annual carry

Principal & interest$30,348
Property taxes$5,040
Hazard insurance$2,016
Flood insurance$650
Utilities$2,700
Maintenance reserve (1.1%)$5,280
Septic service$520
Well & water testing$260
Dock maintenance$900
Winterization / seasonal close$750
Shoreline / seawall reserve$960
Total$49,424
Model your own numbers →

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