Despite a grim past, Lake Lanier in Georgia prepares to welcome a new water park amid controversy

Lake Lanier in northern Georgia, USA, known for its tragic history and eerie reputation, is set to open a waterslide park this summer, raising eyebrows and stirring debate.

Constructed in the 1950s as part of a national waterway improvement project, Lake Lanier’s creation involved displacing communities, including predominantly Black areas, and relocating approximately 20 graveyards. This unsettling history has left a mark on the lake, with sunken buildings and trees posing hazards to swimmers.

Despite claims of 700 lives since its inception, attributed mainly to the lake’s underwater hazards rather than supernatural causes, Lake Lanier has been a popular spot for recreational activities.

Now, Margaritaville at Lake Lanier Islands plans to introduce Georgia’s largest waterslide complex, featuring 15 slides, as part of a significant expansion of the water park. This move has sparked mixed reactions, with some expressing concerns about building recreational facilities on a site with such a tragic past.

While park officials are enthusiastic about the expansion, stating it as a monumental investment, some social media users have voiced their apprehensions. TikTok users, in particular, have highlighted the eerie history of the lake, cautioning against the potential consequences of overlooking its past.

As the waterslide park nears completion, it remains to be seen how the public will perceive this new addition to Lake Lanier’s complex history.