Posted on December 3, 2025
The Lake Lanier Association (LLA) spearheads the only initiative to save and protect the islands of Lake Lanier. Project Armor is the name given to the latest effort to reinforce another mile, or 5,280 feet, of Lake Lanier’s vulnerable shoreline, through the installation of rip-rap.
Project Armor was initiated in late 2024 and has reached completion in Fall 2025. Throughout this year-long effort, a total of 16 locations have been protected from further erosion. The majority of this effort is centered around protecting the islands that dot the middle of Lake Lanier. These islands are cherished and irreplaceable assets for many who utilize the lake. They provide opportunities for wildlife habitat, beaches and coves for recreation, fishing spots and general enjoyment on Lake Lanier.
There are some areas on the lake where the entire island has disappeared as a result of constant erosion. As more and more of the shoreline erodes and falls into the lake, these areas between the islands become shallower and less usable for safe recreation. The rip-rap assists in dissipating wave energy heading back in the opposite direction towards the lake.
The loss of these islands is not only a loss for recreation but also for storage capacity as the sediment added to the lake reduces the storage capacity for drinking water that over 5 million Georgians rely on.
Since 2014, the LLA has protected a total of three linear miles of Lake Lanier shoreline through rip-rap installation, safeguarding 28 areas and islands from erosion. Shoreline protection is a high priority of LLA with the mission of protecting and preserving Lake Lanier by ensuring a Clean, Full and Safe lake.
This shoreline protection project is brought to you by members of the Lake Lanier Association and these fine partners:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Marine Specialties, Martin Marietta, Simpson’s Trucking and Grading, Gwinnett Water Resources, Forsyth County, and Hall County.
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LLA is a 501c3 non-profit. Each donation and membership supports on-lake initiatives like Solar Lights, Life Jacket Loaner Stations and Lake Lanier’s largest cleanup – Shore Sweep and MORE!
For more information on the Lake Lanier Association, please visit: Lakelanier.org.
