Falling water has its advantages
Lake Martin is a lake that experiences a scheduled drawdown each year. The annual drawdown is primarily a flood control measure that lake managers use in preparation for heavy winter and spring rainfall. Lake Martin is more typical of a highland type reservoir. Highland reservoirs have steep and often rocky terrain throughout the watershed. When heavy rainfall occurs, the runoff quickly enters the reservoir and can fill the lake in a very short time period. The drawdown helps prevent the lake from over filling before Alabama Power Company can move the excess water downstream through power generating turbines and floodgates, if necessary.
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