page_title: West Point Lake
section_title: Access
hierarchical_section_title: West Point Lake / Access and Recreation / Access
caption_attribution_description: English: Locations of public access, West Point Lake
context_page_description: West Point Lake is a man-made reservoir located mostly in west-central Georgia on the Chattahoochee River and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Chattahoochee river flows in from the north, before flowing through the West Point Dam, which impounds the lake, and continuing to Columbus, Georgia. Of the four major USACE lakes in the ACF River Basin, West Point Lake is the smallest by area containing 25,864 acres of water, and has the second shortest shoreline at 604 mi. The purposes of the reservoir are to provide flood control, hydroelectric power, and water storage to aid the navigation of the lower Chattahoochee.
context_section_description: There are four types of access, known as shoreline allocations, at West Point Lake.
  Limited Development
  Private floating facilities and some land activities may be authorized such as a dock or improved walkway and requires a permit from the USACE. There are approximately 131 miles (211 km) or 25 percent of the total shoreline miles allocated to this type.
  Protected
  Contrary to limited development, private docks are prohibited unless grandfathered in. This area is a buffer meant to protect aesthetics, habitats, conflicts, and more between areas and was designed to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act. This allocation requires a permit from the USACE and only allows a 5 feet (1.5 m) wide meandering pathway. There are approximately 151 miles (243 km) or 28.8 percent of the total shoreline miles allocated to this type.
  Prohibited
  The shortest of the four allocations at 1 mile (1.6 km), this allocation has prohibited or restricted access. The main area is close to the West Point Dam to protect boats and life from danger.
  Public Recreation
  This area is for past or present public use and private use is prohibited. There are approximately 242 miles (389 km) or 46.1 percent of the total shoreline miles allocated to this type. This is the largest single allocation of West Point Lake.
   
  West Point Lake has the highest shoreline mileage and percentage of total shoreline miles allocated to public recreation areas of all USACE lakes in the ACF river basin. Thus making West Point Lake the most publicly accessible USACE lake in the basin. In addition to the large available public areas, the land buffer around the lake, regardless of allocation, is considered public land. With the exception of personal property (a boat dock) and the prohibited areas, the public is allowed anywhere on this buffer as an issued permit does not allow private exclusive rights anywhere on USACE property.
caption: Locations of public parks, 2017
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