Hickory Log Creek Reservoir

A Reservoir Unlike Any Other Georgia Lake Market

Hickory Log Creek Reservoir isn't a recreational lake that happens to supply some water downstream. It is Canton's primary drinking water supply, jointly owned by the City of Canton and the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority (CCMWA), with a total storage capacity of nearly six billion gallons. That single fact changes everything about what it means to "buy on the lake" here — and it's the first thing any buyer needs to understand.

The 180-foot roller-compacted concrete dam is the tallest dam in Georgia not built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or Georgia Power. Construction wrapped in 2008 and the reservoir reached full pool in April 2011. The City of Canton serves approximately 8,800 direct customers, while CCMWA wholesales water to 830,000 people across five counties — south Cherokee, Paulding, Douglas, and portions of Cobb. The reservoir's design horizon extends to 2040, which means its operational rules are locked in long-term.

What this means for buyers: a 150-foot protective buffer surrounds the entire 15 miles of shoreline. No private docks are permitted anywhere. The only water access is the single public boat ramp at the Bluffs Parkway/Fate Conn Road intersection, maintained by the City of Canton and gated by the Canton Police Department. Homes near the reservoir may have views — and some have very good views — but they do not have private shoreline access, and no amount of money changes that.

What Makes People Buy Here Anyway

Cherokee County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Georgia and, by most measures, in the Southeast. The combination of Atlanta proximity (45-55 minutes to Midtown without traffic), excellent schools, lower property tax than Fulton or Cobb, and genuine natural beauty drives sustained demand. The reservoir adds visual appeal and recreational access without the congestion of Lake Lanier. For buyers who want water views and weekend kayaking but don't need a private boat dock, this market makes real sense.

The reservoir opened to public fishing in 2013 and was stocked with bass, bream, crappie, and catfish in 2012, with shad added in 2015 and 2016. Over 3,000 vehicles per year visit since it opened. Fishing by electric-motor boat, kayak, or canoe is genuinely good, and the reservoir's managed environment means less pressure than public lakes with unlimited gas-motor access. For buyers who are anglers first and dock-owners second, this distinction matters less than it might seem.

The Cherokee County Growth Story

Canton sits at the intersection of Georgia's mountain corridor and Atlanta's northern suburbs. The Riverstone commercial district near the reservoir has grown substantially since the dam was completed, with restaurants, retail, and medical services clustering along the Highway 20 and Riverstone Parkway corridors. The reservoir itself helped anchor development in this zone — the Bluffs Parkway extension that provides reservoir access was built as part of the same growth wave.

The practical result for buyers is that neighborhoods within a mile of the reservoir are well-served by services and will remain so. Northside Hospital Cherokee is approximately 15 minutes from the reservoir access point. Reinhardt University in Waleska is less than 20 minutes, and Kennesaw State is under an hour. Canton's downtown has developed a genuine restaurant and retail scene distinct from the suburban commercial strips, giving the area an identity it lacked a decade ago.

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