Jordan Lake

About Jordan Lake

Lake Jordan is one of the most popular lakes in Alabama due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and its location near the Alabama-Mississippi border. With a population of about 1.5 million people, Lake Jordan is becoming the second largest lake in Alabama and the third largest in the USA.

Lake Jordan is a popular destination for city dwellers interested in a weekend getaway or rural retreat, but visitors will notice that the southernmost hills of the Appalachians create a rural environment, while the Alabama metropolitan area offers nearby urban attractions. Lake Jordan, also known as Lake Jordan, is one of seven reservoirs on the Coosa River claimed by the Alabama Power Company. Jordan Lake is named after two Mitchell sons who have been linked to the development of Mitchell Lake Dam. Alabama Power's Jordan River Dam, a lake and dam built by Alabama Power, is named after Alabama Power employees. It is located in the northern part of Alabama near the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River and is about 30 miles north of Birmingham, Alabama.

The Bouldin Dam was added in 1967 and connected the Jordan and Coosa rivers with two canals. With that connection, Alabama Power began to provide more hydropower, and Lake Jordan now provides habitat for fish and wildlife in Elmore County. In 1974, after using hydropower from the Jordan Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Alabama and the second largest on the Coosa River, Alabama Power completed the construction of the Jordan Dam.

Alabama Power maintains the Jordan Dam Overlook, from which visitors can observe the vast expanse of Lake Jordan that stretches 18 miles to the horizon. From the Jordan coast and from Bouldin, there are several scenic views of the lake, and from the north side of the Jordan reservoir, north of Boulder, there is a picturesque view.

Hunting is prohibited in the settlement of Jordan - Bouldin, but wildlife lovers often spot deer, elk, coyotes and other wild animals wandering along the banks of Lake Jordan. A challenging hiking and cycling route leads up a gentle hill to the Swayback Bridge Trail. Add your photos to our photos of Lake Jordan in Alabama on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google + and Flickr.

There are two public boat ramps, and each dock has a trailer parking lot and is handicapped accessible, according to the Alabama Department of Natural Resources.

The jetty is maintained by Alabama Power, and several marinas on Jordan Lake offer private mooring and mooring services to meet the needs of fishermen. Boat fishing is the number one attraction on Lake Jordan, with a total of 1,000 fishing boats available to the public. Jordan Reservoir has some of the best fishing facilities in the state and ranks sixth among 20 reservoirs with five or more tournaments.

A large part of the fishery is dominated by perch, with perch, white mouthed perch and spotted perch also available. Jordan Lake also has an excellent perch catch, which is considered the second highest daily weight in Alabama. The retreat areas are home to many flathead catfish (see link to the report on fish consumption below).

The bay and the Jordan live blissfully on the lake, but there are also regularly scheduled sports events. Just downstream of the Jordan Dam, white water competitions attract hundreds of kayakers and thousands of visitors every year. The mighty rapids, called Devil's Steps, are now behind Jordan Lake Dam, but the whitewater still flows into the Coosa River. On its course you paddle down the river and combine it with a raft race, kayaking, canoeing, rafting and other recreational activities.

If you prefer a land-based challenge, the attack on the Swayback is a one-mile swim from the lake to the shore, which takes place in the middle of the day in windings. Equally challenging is swimming in Jordan Lake, where swimmers test their endurance with a one-mile swim in just under two hours.

The Jordan reservoir was developed as a hydroelectric project and today combines healthy activities with the natural beauty and gentle lifestyle of the lake. The well-developed shore of Lake Jordan is lined with lush lawns leading to well-kept holiday apartments and houses. Whether you're swimming in cool water on a hot Alabama day or testing out perch on one of Jordan Lake's many kayak and paddle boat trails, Lake Jordan is the perfect place to start and finish your day.