Weiss Lake

{{short description|Reservoir in northeastern Alabama}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox body of water

| name = Weiss Lake

| image = Weiss Lake, Alabama 3.JPG

| caption = Weiss Lake in 2015

| image_bathymetry =

| caption_bathymetry =

| location = Cherokee County, Alabama / Floyd County, Georgia, US

| coords = {{coord|34|10|16|N|85|45|15|W|display=inline,title}}

| type = reservoir

| inflow = Coosa River, Chattooga River, Little River

| outflow =

| catchment =

| basin_countries = United States

| length =

| width =

| area = {{convert|30200|acre|abbr=on}}

| depth =

| max-depth = {{convert|62|ft|abbr=on}}

| volume =

| residence_time =

| shore = {{convert|447|mi|abbr=on}}

| elevation = {{convert|564|ft|m|abbr=on}}

| frozen =

| islands =

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| cities =

| pushpin_map = Alabama#USA

| pushpin_label_position =

| pushpin_map_alt = Location of Weiss Lake in Alabama, USA.

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}}

Weiss Lake in northeastern Alabama is owned and operated by the Alabama Power Company.[http://www.lakeweiss.info Weiss Lake, Alabama, US – Community and Visitors Guide]. Lakeweiss.info. Retrieved on 2011-06-12. At full summer pool, Weiss Lake sits {{convert|564|ft|m}} above sea level. The lake covers {{convert|30200|acre|km2}} from the Coosa River, Chattooga River (Alabama–Georgia) and Little River, offering over {{convert|447|mi|km}} of shoreline and shallow flats, large coves, under-water drop offs and deep channels. Weiss Lake also has privately owned hotels, marinas, campground and bait and tackle stores. There are 11 bridges that cross Weiss Lake.

Weiss Dam, creating the reservoir, was begun as the first of seven hydroelectric projects on the Coosa in 1958, and finished three years later. It is a concrete and earthen gravity dam, {{convert|126|ft}} high, named after Fernand C. Weiss, a former chief engineer of Alabama Power.{{Cite web|url=http://encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-2019|title=Weiss Dam and Lake {{!}} Encyclopedia of Alabama|website=Encyclopedia of Alabama|language=en|access-date=2018-03-20}} A book by local newspaper editor Douglas Scott Wright, titled A History of Weiss Lake,[https://www.amazon.com/dp/1596295600 A History of Weiss Lake (9781596295605): Douglas Scott Wright: Books]. Amazon.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-12. describes the decades-long battle to build a series of dams along the upper Coosa River, the farmers who tried to stop construction of Weiss Dam, the lake's namesake, and the ups and downs that the community have experienced since it was completed in June 1961.

Weiss Lake contains crappie, largemouth bass, and striped bass. In 2009, the population of bass consists of 15–18 inch preferred size bass as well as abundant numbers of young growing bass. The striped bass population primarily consist of 3–7 pound fish, but fish over 25 pounds have been caught as well. The best seasons for fishing crappie are March through May, yet September through November months are good as well. The best bass months are February through May, and in October and November.[http://www.outdooralabama.com Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]. Outdooralabama.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-12.[http://georgialakeinfo.com Georgia Lake information -Georgia Lakes vacation rentals, Georgia lake Marinas rentals, georgia lake cabin rentals, georgia lake real estate, campgrounds, boat rentals]. Georgialakeinfo.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-12. The Rome Sailing Club began at Garden Lakes in 1955, but moved to Weiss Lake in 1980.