More Water Longer - Alabama Power declares a fall extension on Lake Martin

Alabama Power this morning announced a fall extension of the summer pool on Lake Martin, said Hydro Services manager Jim Crew. The fall extension is granted when water is plentiful throughout the Tallapoosa and Coosa river basins and conditions are met at Alabama Power dams across the system. The extension of the lake’s summer pool level allows more boating and recreation opportunities than would be possible if the implementation of the winter drawdown began today, as scheduled.

Until Oct. 15, Lake Martin’s water level will remain at 491 feet mean sea level. After that date, the level gradually will be drawn down to 484 feet msl by the third week of November. The seasonal drawdown has several advantages, the most important of which is flood prevention. The winter pool level provides storage space in the reservoir system for spring rains.