Morgan Falls On The Chattahoochee River

Morgan Falls on the Chattahoochee River

by

Pamela Haney

The Morgan Falls area on the Chattahoochee River provides an opportunity for visitors to enjoy nature in the midst of a large urban area. The recreational activities available here offer a respite from Atlantas noise and traffic. The City of Sandy Springs, the federal government, and Georgia Power all offer outdoor recreational facilities in the Morgan Falls area, just north of Atlantas perimeter.

Morgan Falls Dam was constructed on the Chattahoochee River from 1901-03. The small dam and hydroelectric plant provided the power to run Atlantas streetcars. The scenic reservoir which formed behind the dam was named Bull Sluice Lake. Its calm backwaters and sloughs immediately provided an excellent fishing area. Today the dam and power plant are owned by Georgia Power, which has recently constructed a new fishing pier below the dam. It offers a great place to fish for trout, which are stocked by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Anglers may also catch bass, bream, and channel catfish. The dam is accessed off Morgan Falls Road. The City of Sandy Springs has developed a new park in the area. Overlook Park at Morgan Falls is located at 200 Morgan Falls Road, along the shores of Bull Sluice Lake. A recently completed .75 mile walking trail leads visitors through hardwood and pine forest and offers scenic views of the lake and river. There are trailheads next to the parking area and behind the events pavilion. While clearing the land for the park, the city discovered an old home site on the bluff overlooking the lake. An archaeological survey of the area revealed that the home site dated to 1839 and belonged to William Power, an early settler in the area. A road trace leads down to the river where the Power family once operated a ferry crossing, the Upper Powers Ferry. Today the home site is marked by two stacked stone chimneys, one standing in good condition and the other substantially collapsed. Overlook Park also contains a playground, picnic area, and a dock for canoes and kayaks. No swimming is allowed in the lake. The Gold Branch Unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is located on Lower Roswell Road at Morgan Falls. This park contains a picnic area and several miles of hiking trails bordering the Chattahoochee River and Bull Sluice Lake. There is a $3 daily use fee at the park. The Morgan Falls area is located in the north end of the City of Sandy Springs, a northern suburb of Atlanta. These parks along the river and Bull Sluice Lake allow users to enjoy a bit of nature without leaving metro Atlanta.

Pamela Haney is the Director of Sales for The Holiday Inn Express

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& Suites. The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Atlanta North-Perimeter/Dunwoody is directly off Georgia 400 and I-285. With the hotels courteous staff, reasonable rates, and terrific amenities, this Atlanta Perimeter hotel is the place to “Stay Smart” in the Perimeter Center area.

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Morgan Falls on the Chattahoochee River