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).
