Please note: Bear Creek Marina’s own restaurant & bar is temporarily closed — call (770) 787-9621 to confirm before visiting. The rest of the marina (campground & RV hookups, boat storage, kayak & canoe rentals, and the boat launch) remains open.
The Jackson Lake Dam — known officially as Lloyd Shoals Dam — is the 100-foot concrete dam that created Jackson Lake by holding back the waters of the Ocmulgee River in central Georgia. Completed in 1911 and operated by Georgia Power since 1928, the Jackson Lake Dam formed one of the oldest reservoirs in the state: a 4,750-acre lake with roughly 135 miles of winding shoreline. If you have ever wondered when it was built, who runs it, whether you can visit, or where to launch and fish nearby, this guide answers all of it — and shows how Bear Creek Marina puts you just minutes from the action.
What Is the Jackson Lake Dam?
The Jackson Lake Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Ocmulgee River, officially named Lloyd Shoals Dam. Standing about 100 feet tall and stretching 1,070 feet of concrete masonry across the river, it impounds the combined flow of three rivers — the Yellow, the Alcovy, and the South — which meet to form the Ocmulgee. The reservoir behind it, Jackson Lake, sits at roughly 528 feet of elevation and spreads across parts of Jasper, Newton, and Butts counties. At full pool it covers about 4,750 acres with around 135 miles of shoreline, making it a sprawling playground for boaters, anglers, and campers about an hour southeast of Atlanta.
When Was the Jackson Lake Dam Built and Who Operates It?
Construction of the Jackson Lake Dam was completed in 1911, making it more than a century old. The project grew from the vision of Captain William Ferguson Smith of nearby Flovilla, was engineered with the help of C.F. Howe, and was carried to completion by Macon businessman W. Jordan Massee Sr. and fellow investors under the Central Georgia Power Company. Georgia Power Company acquired the powerhouse and dam in 1928 and still operates the facility today. The Lloyd Shoals hydro plant has a generating capacity of about 18 megawatts, quietly turning the river’s flow into electricity more than 110 years after the first lights came on.
7 Essential Facts About the Jackson Lake Dam (Lloyd Shoals Dam)
- Official name: Lloyd Shoals Dam, though locals almost always call it the Jackson Lake Dam.
- Completed: 1911 — one of the oldest reservoirs in Georgia.
- Size: about 100 feet tall and 1,070 feet long, built of concrete masonry.
- River: it dams the Ocmulgee River, formed where the Yellow, Alcovy, and South rivers meet.
- Operator: Georgia Power, which acquired the dam in 1928 and runs its 18-megawatt powerhouse.
- The lake: roughly 4,750 acres with about 135 miles of shoreline across Jasper, Newton, and Butts counties.
- Public access: Lloyd Shoals Park, a Georgia Power day-use area at the dam, plus full-service options like Bear Creek Marina on the lake.
Can You Visit the Jackson Lake Dam? Lloyd Shoals Park Explained
Yes — you can visit the area around the Jackson Lake Dam at Lloyd Shoals Park, a Georgia Power day-use park located at 180 Dam Road and open year-round. The park is one of Georgia Power’s public access points on Jackson Lake, and it packs a lot into one stop: a picnic and day-use area, a swimming beach, a playground, a picnic pavilion, a barrier-free fishing pier, restrooms, and a two-lane barrier-free boat ramp with two courtesy docks and trailer parking. Because it is a managed Georgia Power facility, day-use access and any applicable fees or passes are handled through Georgia Power’s official reservation system, so it is worth checking current details before you go. You can review the dam project and recreation information directly on Georgia Power’s Lloyd Shoals Dam page and reserve day-use access through the Georgia Power Lakes reservation portal.
Where Can You Launch a Boat Near the Jackson Lake Dam?
The Jackson Lake Dam sits at the southern end of the lake, and the closest public launch is the two-lane boat ramp at Lloyd Shoals Park. If you would rather have a full-service home base — with help on hand, a place to grab a bite, and somewhere to keep your boat between trips — Bear Creek Marina sits right on Jackson Lake with its own boat ramp and easy water access. New to the lake? Our Jackson Lake map of access points and boat ramps lays out every public launch and recreation area so you can plan your day around the dam, the coves, or the open water near the marina.
Is the Fishing Good Below the Jackson Lake Dam?
The tailwater below the Jackson Lake Dam — where the powerhouse discharges back into the Ocmulgee River — is a well-known spot for anglers, and the lake above the dam is equally productive for largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and bream. A word of caution: water levels and current below any hydroelectric dam can change quickly when the powerhouse is generating, so always give the immediate dam area a wide, respectful berth and wear a life jacket. For current conditions and seasonal patterns on the lake, check our Jackson Lake fishing report, and for proven locations see our guide to the top fishing spots on Jackson Lake. Georgia fishing licenses and current regulations are available from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
How Do You Get to the Jackson Lake Dam — and Where Should You Stay?
Jackson Lake is about an hour southeast of Atlanta near the towns of Jackson, Monticello, and Mansfield, and the Jackson Lake Dam anchors the lake’s southern end. For an easy, comfortable visit, Bear Creek Marina makes a perfect base on the water. We offer waterfront RV and camper sites with water, sewer, and electric hookups, dry boat storage to keep your boat lake-ready, and kayak rentals if you want to paddle the calm coves. After a day on the lake, the on-site lakeside restaurant and bar serves up food, drinks, and live music right at the water’s edge. Whether you are touring the Jackson Lake Dam, launching a boat, or settling in for a weekend, the marina keeps everything you need in one place.
What Should You Know Before Visiting the Dam and Lake?
A little planning makes a lake day go smoothly. Spring and fall bring mild temperatures and lighter crowds, while summer weekends are the busiest and best for swimming and watersports. Mornings are typically calmest on the water, which is ideal for paddling, photography, or easing a boat off the trailer before the wind picks up. Pack sun protection, plenty of drinking water, and a properly fitted life jacket for every person aboard — Georgia law requires a wearable life jacket for each passenger, and children under 13 must wear one while a boat is underway. If you plan to use a public ramp, arrive early on holiday weekends, when trailer parking fills quickly.
Safety near the structure matters, too. Keep an eye on posted signs and buoys near the powerhouse, and never anchor or linger directly below the structure, where water releases can raise the current without warning. Cell coverage is generally good around the lake, but it helps to download a map ahead of time so you can find launches, coves, and the marina even if your signal drops. Finally, bring a cooler: there are picnic areas at the day-use park, and the marina’s lakeside restaurant is a welcome stop when you would rather let someone else do the cooking. With a few simple preparations, a visit to this historic stretch of the Ocmulgee River becomes an easy, memorable Georgia getaway.
Jackson Lake Dam FAQs
Who owns and operates the Jackson Lake Dam?
Georgia Power owns and operates the Jackson Lake Dam (Lloyd Shoals Dam). The company acquired the powerhouse and dam in 1928 and continues to run its roughly 18-megawatt hydroelectric plant today.
Is there a swimming beach at the Jackson Lake Dam?
Yes — there is a swimming beach at Lloyd Shoals Park, the Georgia Power day-use park at the dam. Note that Bear Creek Marina itself is a boat launch and lakeside destination rather than a public swimming beach, so plan to swim at the designated day-use area.
Do you need a pass or reservation to visit Lloyd Shoals Park?
Lloyd Shoals Park is a managed Georgia Power day-use area, and access, fees, and any required passes are handled through Georgia Power’s official reservation system. Because details can change seasonally, check the Georgia Power Lakes reservation portal for current information before you visit the dam area.
How big is the lake created by the Jackson Lake Dam?
Jackson Lake covers about 4,750 acres and has roughly 135 miles of shoreline, spreading across Jasper, Newton, and Butts counties. It is one of the oldest reservoirs in Georgia, dating to the dam’s completion in 1911.
Can you fish below the Jackson Lake Dam?
Yes, anglers fish the Ocmulgee River tailwater below the dam as well as the lake above it. Be aware that current and water levels below the dam can rise quickly during power generation, so keep a safe distance from the immediate dam structure and always wear a life jacket.
Plan Your Visit to Jackson Lake
Ready to experience the lake that the Jackson Lake Dam built? Bear Creek Marina is located at 60 Bear Creek Marina Rd, Mansfield, GA 30055, on the shores of Jackson Lake. Call us at (770) 787-9621 or email contact@bearcreekmarina.com to ask about RV and camper sites, dry boat storage, kayak rentals, or lakeside dining. You can also reach our team through our contact page to start planning your trip to Jackson Lake.
