Man-Made Lakes: The Southeast’s Most Beautiful Bodies of Water

America is home to some of the most beautiful lakes on Earth. But while some of our country’s natural lakes are astounding, our man-made lakes are also just as gorgeous and are popular sites for vacations, water sports, and yes, even homes for potential homeowners.

Finding the perfect house for you and your family can involve a lot of factors, but one of the most popular considerations people think about is finding a lakeside property. And it makes sense: lakefront houses increase in value every year, and it’s a perfect opportunity for families to create a permanent homestead for generations to come.

There are over 100,000 man-made lakes and reservoirs in the country, and here are five of the most beautiful man-made lakes in the good ol’ U.S. of A.

Lake Murray

Located in Columbia, South Carolina, Lake Murray occupies a whopping 50,000-acre property in the midlands of the Palmetto State. It was created in the late 20s to provide hydroelectric power to South Carolina. However, it has grown to become a popular tourist attraction, thanks to the beautiful natural features around the lake. It’s home to a variety of watersports like boating and fishing, making it one of the most popular vacation spots in South Carolina.

Homeowners looking for waterfront homes will also be happy to know that the area is renowned for its comfortable, quiet lifestyle that focuses on small communities and recreational activities.

Lake Hartwell

Sitting on the border between Georgia and South Carolina, Lake Hartwell is also one of the most popular vacation lakes in the Southeast, with the lake occupying a massive 87 square miles of pristine countryside. It was created in the early 60s as part of a project to develop the Savannah River basin. With more than 962 miles of shoreline, Lake Hartwell is a popular site for hikers, campers, boaters, and recreational fishermen. The lake also boasts of diverse wildlife, with almost 300 different species of birds and nearly 50 different species of mammals around the lake.

Lake Hartwell is also home to small, permanent communities and is particularly popular for retirees, thanks to the areas beauty, relaxing scenery, and lower cost-of-living (as compared to other lakefront properties).

Lewis Smith

Lake Located on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, Lewis Smith Lake covers 33 square miles in North Alabama. While it’s relatively smaller than the other two lakes, Lewis Smith Lake still boasts of 500 miles of shoreline and is the deepest lake in the state. It was created in 1961, but it wasn’t fully developed for the first 20 years of its existence, serving only as a reservoir for the Lewis Smith Dam. Because of its proximity to major cities like Birmingham and Huntsville, Lewis Smith Lake saw a boom in development when the two cities also started flourishing in the 80s and the 90s, and it is now one of the most popular recreational sites in Alabama.

Lakefront homes in Lewis Smith Lake are popular with boaters and fishermen, thanks to the lake’s crystal-clear waters and a large variety of fish in its 264-foot depths.

With these details in mind, you can consider the place that you want to see, even for just a short vacation. You can also think if it’s the right location for you to settle down.