NewsAugust 28, 2007
News Media Contact: Michael Sznajderman,
msznajde@southernco.comMedia Inquiry Line: (205) 257-4155
Warning to boaters: falling lake levels
making boat launches unusable
Boaters advised to check access to usable launches
The ongoing, record-setting drought is reducing elevations at Alabama Power?s six
storage reservoirs to unprecedented levels. As lake levels fall, some boat launches on
the reservoirs are becoming unusable.
With the drought continuing and conditions deteriorating, people with boats on the six
reservoirs should check that they have access to a usable boat launch in the event they
need to remove their vessels from the water. The storage reservoirs are: Weiss Lake,
Neely Henry Lake and Logan Martin Lake on the Coosa River; Lake Harris and Lake
Martin on the Tallapoosa River; and Smith Lake on the Black Warrior River.
Boat owners and others can contact the Alabama Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources (ADCNR) to obtain the latest information about boat launches. Call
ADCNR at (334) 242-3471. To report hazardous conditions on the lakes, contact
ADCNR?s Marine Police Division at 1-800-272-7930.
Because of the drought, all six of Alabama Power?s storage reservoirs have already
reached their winter elevations ? a water level not normally seen until early December.
The six reservoirs are expected to continue falling during September and October, which
are typically dry months. During that time, some of the lakes are expected to reach
levels never seen before.
Individuals with boats and other water-related equipment and facilities should always be
alert to changing conditions on Alabama Power reservoirs and be prepared to take the
necessary steps to protect their property.
For the latest on lake levels, visit
www.alabamapower.com and click on ?drought.?
Information can also be obtained by calling Alabama Power's automated Reservoir
Information System at 1-800-LAKES11 (1-800-525-3711).
