Lake Allatoona
Cherokee County, GeorgiaView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae run above the regional average.
↓ down from C at the last regrade
- Eutrophic
- Impaired · Algal growth
- #2 of 3 in the county
- Public access
Lake Allatoona in Cherokee County, Georgia has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 3.8 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 30 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 19 µg/L.
- Clarity
- 3.8 ft
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Phosphorus
- 30 µg/L
- Chlorophyll-a
- 19 µg/L
- Trend
- ↓ Declining
- Public access
- Yes
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Stays near Lake Allatoona
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lake Allatoona in Cherokee County, Georgia — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water. The water-quality grade measures nutrients and algae, not lodging — cabins and rentals around Lake Allatoona are listed below.
Top-rated places to stay near Lake Allatoona
Prices for Sep 11–13, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Planning a trip? Cabins and lodging at Lake Allatoona → · more Georgia lake trips
Watch Lake Allatoona’s letter
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Lake Allatoona is a productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Cherokee County, Georgia. Water quality is graded D based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in Cherokee County, Lake Allatoona ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Georgia EPD, last sampled 2025-10-15. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
What Lake Allatoona is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch2 documented ramps
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyAlgae risk
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Lake Allatoona is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for algal growth, metals (other than mercury), pCBs. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: D (Nutrient-rich)
Murky, only visible to about 3.8 ft. Phosphorus 30 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 19 µg/L. TSI 57. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.8 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 30 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 19 µg/L | Poor |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 57 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
→ Lake Allatoona water level: the live USGS gauge reading
Recreation & Access
- Cherokee Mills - Little RiverPublic
- Little River MarinaSemi-private
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Fishing Lake Allatoona
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 14 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | -0.011 m/yr | 14 |
| Phosphorus | → Stable | +0.36 µg/L/yr | 6 |
| Chlorophyll-a | ↓ Declining | +1.65 µg/L/yr | 14 |
EPA Impairment Status
Lake Allatoona is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit GAR031501040809 · Official waterbody report
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 3 lakes in Cherokee County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Lake Allatoona holds Grade D. One nearby lake has a higher nutrient-and-algae grade — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Cherokee County
Frequently asked questions about Lake Allatoona
Where is Lake Allatoona?
- Lake Allatoona is a lake in Cherokee County, Georgia. LakeQuality grades it D for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Lake Allatoona?
- Lake Allatoona in Cherokee County, Georgia has a water quality grade of D (Nutrient-rich). Water clarity: 3.8 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 30 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 19 µg/L.
Is Lake Allatoona safe to swim in?
- The D is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Lake Allatoona is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for algal growth, metals (other than mercury), pCBs. Check local advisories before you swim.
Are there boat ramps on Lake Allatoona?
- Lake Allatoona has 2 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Cherokee Mills - Little River, Little River Marina. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Lake Allatoona across LakeQuality
12.7 mi away · cable-pulled, no boat wake
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Georgia's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Georgia's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
Planning a trip around Chattahoochee River?
Lake Allatoona is about 20 miles from Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Crowds there swing hard by season, so the month you pick changes both how busy the park is and what lodging costs.
Best time to visit Chattahoochee River →More Georgia Lake Rankings
Other Grade D Lakes in Georgia
Eutrophic Lakes in Georgia
Where this data comes from
250 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2012–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Georgia DNR Environmental Protection Division
21GAEPD_WQX250 samples · 2012–2025
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 445.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll and Pheophytin in Algae by Fluorescence
- Turbidity by Nephelometry
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory