While attending school at Piedmont, or even just visiting, it is hard to miss the beautiful bridge that connects the campus from directly behind the library to the Swanson Center for Performing Arts & Communication. Many students use this bridge to walk across campus over the protected wetland area. But why does Piedmont have this random “wetland area” right in the middle of campus? Well, at one point there used to be a 26-acre lake called Demorest Lake.

A retired Piedmont University professor, Wallace Hinson, remembers this lake fondly. “Overall, it was a nice, picturesque scene. Just beautiful in the early mornings and at dusk. It was one of the few things that drew me here when I came for my interview. We used to have a couple of lake loons. You could hear them at night; very nice.”

Dr. Hinson taught at Piedmont University from 1993 to 2023 and was therefore present when Piedmont got news that the lake would need to be permanently drained. He recalled, “The lake was drained a few times over my years. Finally, the EPA came and condemned the dam.” Demorest Lake was permanently drained in August of 2008 for concerns regarding the structural integrity of the dam, but an empty lake never crushed Piedmont’s spirit. Hinson remembers, “The art department chair, a potter, used some of the clay from the lake bed to make some pots. He said it was excellent material.” 

A few students even got up to mischief. “A student who drove his jeep out on the lake bed when it was drained the first time while I was here (around 1995), got it stuck. Campus Police came with a tow truck to pull him out. Not only did he have to pay the tow, but he was given several tickets. He couldn’t understand why he had to pay!” 

Although a few members of Piedmont found some use, over the years the trees have grown up, and there is not as much use of the area anymore. But fear not, hydrophiles! Habersham intends to refill our wetland by the end of July 2025. In coordination with the Water and Soil Conservation Committee, Habersham and Piedmont University have decided that refilling this lake would not only give our Natural Sciences more opportunity to study wildlife and nature diversity, but also give residents of Demorest and students of Piedmont University a new place to enjoy a hot, sunny day. After the reconstruction of the dam finishes, we may just have a new, beautiful lake!

For students returning to Piedmont for Fall 2025, pack your swimsuit, gear up your tackle box and lug up those kayaks: sunny lake days ahead.