Forsyth County has begun construction of a new raw water intake facility on Lake Lanier near Tidwell Park, a project officials say will secure long‑term water independence and reliability for residents.
The facility, located about 600 feet offshore from Tidwell Park, will draw raw water through a 2,000‑foot tunnel nearly 180 feet underground to a new pump station on Pilgrim Mill Road. From there, water will travel through a three‑mile transmission main to the county’s treatment plant.
Engineering studies began in 2022, and construction will continue in phases through 2031. The current phase requires Tidwell Park to close for approximately three years beginning August 3, 2026. When the park reopens in 2029, upgrades will include a new courtesy dock, bank stabilization, resurfaced parking, signage, benches, and an osprey platform.
“This project is critical for Forsyth County,” said Scott Adams, director of the Department of Water & Sewer. “It will provide redundancy and resiliency for all citizens and ensure a reliable water intake well into the future.”
Capital Projects Senior Project Manager Lynnette Ramirez noted that nearby residents should expect traffic delays, noise, and vibrations during construction. She added that stormwater controls and turbidity curtains will be used to protect Lake Lanier’s water quality, with all work monitored for compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
Currently, Forsyth County and the City of Cumming share a single intake on Lake Lanier, with Forsyth paying the city for raw water. A favorable U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the decades‑long “Water Wars” cleared the way for Forsyth to build its own facility.
Once complete, the project will:
- Provide Forsyth County with a dedicated intake, eliminating the need to purchase raw water
- Improve water supply reliability in emergencies
- Enhance water quality through a better intake location
- Increase resiliency with a primary withdrawal system
Construction updates, timelines, and videos are available at forsythco.com/water-intake.