I went to Dahlonega today and passed by one little arm of the lake off GA 400 except there weren't no lake, just a dry steambed
. I thought about you when I saw the sign.
Yep, you passed about a mile away from me there at exit 15. The creek you mention is between exits 15 and 16.
Dahlonega is a pretty town. I have a coworker who lives on the north side of town there and drives all the way to downtown Atlanta to work every day - about 40 more minutes on top of what I have to drive.
Dahlonega is also right on the edge of the transition from the upper piedmont to the mountains - which makes for an interesting mix of flora.