Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	Lake levels and water wars
Date:	5/7/2015 6:01:47 PM

The Lake Martin HOBOs held their annual meeting this past weekend.  Guest speakers were Jim Crew and Alan Peeples of Alabama Power.  As most of you know Jim Crew heads up the relicensing effort for APCo, and Jim explained the current situation to members.  Jim explained that the Final Environmental Impact Statement includes the addition of three feet in the winter and an extension of full pool in the fall from September 1st thru October 15, if water is available which will occur every third or fourth year.  The important question of "WHEN" was answered by Jim and he thinks the final document could be signed this summer which would allow the implementation this fall, possibly.

Alan Peeples, manager of dam operations for the company, furnished information on the Corps of Engineers "new" Operating Manual.  If the Corps is successful in implementing the manual their efforts to help their friends in Atlanta could affect Lake Martin's Fall Lake Level by drawing down our lake from 0.6' to 0.9'.  Yesterday the Corps announced the signing of the approval of their manual and today Gov Bentley announced litigation has been filed against the Corps to stop the implementation....see the link below.

The HOBOs appreciate Jim Crew and Alan Peeples for taking time on a Saturday morning to come address our group.

Link: http://www.wtvy.com/home/headlines/Governor-Bentley-Challenges-Army-Corps-of-Engineers-Water-Manual-302954361.html

Name:	GeeBee -	Reply
Subject:	Lake levels and water wars
Date:	5/7/2015 6:27:48 PM

So bottom line. We will get full pool until October 15, however they will draw down and extra .6-.9 of a foot in fall? Is this how you read it. Will this new Corp measure have any effect on sumer levels?

Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	Lake levels and water wars
Date:	5/7/2015 6:48:49 PM

Welcome to the Forum, I noticed this is your first post.

I'll try to give really short answers to your questions.  We will get full pool till Sept 1, Labor Day, then depending on rainfall, an effort to extend full pool till Oct 15 will be made by APCo.  Lots of variables and APCo says about once every 3 or 4 years they'll be able to hold it up.  Corps new rule will only affect fall levels, and APCo says, if it stands the rule could lower Martin by .6' to .9' in fall....yes it could affect fall extension of full pool...see AL Lawsuit.

Name:	Little Gray -	Reply
Subject:	Lake levels and water wars
Date:	5/8/2015 10:14:33 AM

I just got a very sick feeling in the pit of my stomach! Am I understanding this correctly that we will only get full pool extention to Oct. 15 (assuming rainfall allows) once every 3 or 4 years...kinda like the summer Olympics? If this is the case, then I have to ask, WHAT IS THE POINT? All the man hours, tremendous efforts, not to mention money invested in this petition to our government only to get to enjoy this "treat" once every 3 or 4 years. How does that have any meaningful effect on the local economy? This just CAN'T be right!  If this is accurate, it IS better than nothing, but not much! 

Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	Lake levels and water wars
Date:	5/8/2015 11:18:45 AM (updated 5/8/2015 11:19:47 AM)

I agree with you.  The formula is extremely complicated, and far too complicated to attempt to explain here.  I'd suggest you go to the HOBO website where you will find the FEIS as a .pdf, and you can download and read the section.  In my simplistic view, FERC could have approved a plan that allowed APCo to hold the level at 490', while meeting minimun flow requirements of 1,250 cfs.  If there is not enough rain to hold the lake up and maintain minimum flow, then the lake starts going down.  If there's rain, great, hold it up.  Unfortunately, the Coosa River and the Corps of Engineers play into the scheme since minimum flows are required at the Alabama River, which takes water from both the Tallapoosa and Coosa.  Balancing the two rivers is where the formula gets complicated.  Add to that the Corps new ploy to hold water for ATL, and we've got a real mess.

APCo did a historical review of rain amounts, lake levels, and flow rates and based on history made the prediction of once every 3 or 4 years we'll have an extended full pool.  YEA!!

HOBO Website:  LakeMartin.org

Name:	JPB -	Reply
Subject:	Lake levels and water wars
Date:	5/8/2015 1:14:20 PM

Thanks for all the work and information.At one time I remember a link to the proposed changes to shoreline land uses,I remember some areas in Sandy creek to be changed to future development. I can't seem to find it, any idea where it is ? Thanks

Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	Lake levels and water wars
Date:	5/8/2015 2:27:54 PM

You should be able to find the APCo property use changes in a map in the appendix to the FEIS on our website.  As far as changes in Sandy Creek, most of the changes I remember were moving waterfront property into conservation reserve, which means the property is set aside and can't be developed.  When I get a chance I'll see if I can find the final map and give you a link.  One big change was moving the undeveloped side of Madwind Creek out of conservation reserve, which would make development possible by APCo.

Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	Link to the Land Use Maps
Date:	5/8/2015 3:35:42 PM

I found the land use map in the final application document which was filed in June 2011.  It's kind of small but it's readable.  The Sandy Creek change added just about all the land from the firetower to main channel to "natural undeveloped".  BTW natural undeveloped is the correct term instead of "conservation reserve" which I used in the above post.

Link to new land use map:

http://www.alabamapower.com/community/lakes/hydro/martin-project/martin-application/CD_Files/License_Exhibits/Exhibit_E_Supporting_Docs/Large_Format_Change_Map/Proposed_Land_Changes.pdf

Name:	JPB -	Reply
Subject:	Link to the Land Use Maps
Date:	5/8/2015 4:10:22 PM

Thanks ,It looks different than what I rememered,so glad they move a lot of land to the Natural,un-developed catagories ! Thanks for the help.