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By Charlotte Reames

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is hosting an open house at the Powerhouse Visitor Center in honor of the 50th anniversary of the West Point Dam and Lake. According to a press release from the USACE, the public celebration will be held on June 13 at Hardley Creek Recreation Area. 

West Point Dam and Lake were authorized by the Federal Flood Control Act of 1962. For five decades, the dam and lake have served the Greater Valley Area and Troup County area with hydropower, recreation and flood risk management. 

The lake’s normal pool level is 635 feet above sea level. It has more than 25,000 acres of water and extends over 35 river miles, from north of West Point to south of Franklin, Georgia. 

The lake has a  525-mile long shoreline, much of which is open to the public for recreation and boat access. The lake is surrounded by more than 30,000 acres of land.

Every Saturday in May, the doors will be open to visitors from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time to learn more about its history. 

Special invitations will be sent to individuals who worked on the construction and operation of the dam, such as contractors and former USACE employees. 

As a part of the celebration, all USACE-operated day-use parks will be open with no entrance fees from June 13-15. 

“We want as many people as possible to help commemorate the golden anniversary of the West Point Project,” said Jay Jamison, Operations Project Manager, in a press release from the USACE. “We’re waiving day-use park fees on those days, so everyone has the chance to enjoy the lake and be part of this milestone.”

The celebration does not end there. Throughout the year, the lake will host events to mark the anniversary such as a children’s art contest, a lake clean-up and more. Stay informed by watching the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, West Point Lake on Facebook. 

Earlier this year, the Valley Times-News reported on construction maintenance that the dam has been undergoing. The West Point Lake awarded a contract to R&D Maintenance Services, Inc. for a Spillway Gate Painting and Repair project. 

The maintenance, which ended in January of this year, left water levels lower than usual for several months before returning to normal after the project was completed.