| Name: |
lakngulf
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/19/2010 1:58:40 PM
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Now that we have been able to see many water level possibilities for the winter time, it would be interesting to hear opinions and preferences. In the aftermath of the dry year there was a push to change the low level point to 483. Is that still a priority of many? Would you want winter pool to stay around 485? What would you do differently boatwise (in ownership and winterization) if you knew the water would be higher in the fall/winter?
Personally, very similar to the way I like a change in seasons, I like the change of water level (483 would be ok but 480 low is fine too). I almost always have some jobs that are accomplished better at low pool, and, wouldn't you know it, this is the year I had the most jobs to do, and look at all this water.
What are your thoughts? The more water the better, or keep it the way we have it?
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| Name: |
kirbys dropwing
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/19/2010 2:33:55 PM
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I like the low water,480, for maintenance. We need the 480 to get to the bottom. I think there is very few who actually boat in winter, it's freezing. Fishermen are still able to get on the water, I see them almost daily.
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| Name: |
Samdog
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/19/2010 2:55:46 PM
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I'd like to see 485 as a low with 483 as a minimum. When the level gets to 480 and below there are too many areas that are plain ugly. Also I would have year around water at my pier. Just my selfish opinion.
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| Name: |
estreetfan2
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/19/2010 3:39:09 PM
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I dont really care how low it goes in the winter, 480 is fine with me. What I dont like is having it take so long to fill but more so the way they drop it right after Labor Day. Lake Martin is beautiful in the fall and so many people have left for the season. Its a great time for us homeowners to get out on our boats and enjoy. Dont start dropping it until mid October please!!
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| Name: |
Mack
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/19/2010 5:56:31 PM
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I tend to agree with estreet that we miss many beautiful boating days each year, even as late as Thanksgiving, because the water is already too low. I would love to be able to watch the Fall color changes by boat.
But, I don't know all the facts behind the requirement to drop the level at all?? Does anyone know? Flood control? Fish spawning?
The lowest I can launch w/o churning mud is about 485, so 480 or 483 doesn't really matter.
But, for lakers who have developed their property assuming a 480 low every year might have a serious problem with anything higher.
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| Name: |
lucky67
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/19/2010 7:09:08 PM
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i think going to 480 is a thing of the past--not necessary anymore--plus remember how it affects marinas, restaurants; i think 483-484 for winter is a good level--the lake is becoming a year round residence for more & more people, & I see this increasing as more boomers hit 62--like me !! I love to boat all 12 months
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| Name: |
Aardvark
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/19/2010 8:18:25 PM
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I would take anything low enough to prevent weeds like milfoil or hydrilla from getting established.
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I agree. I'd like to see a planned winter level of 485 with 483 being a minimum (since they always seem to go a little lower). I like to boat in the winter, and even though I go out at 480 an extra 5 feet makes it more enjoyable and safer.
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| Name: |
Osms
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/20/2010 9:17:22 AM
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One of the primary reasons for raising the winter water level is to ensure that the lake can be raised to full pool before summer during drought times. Remember 2007, the lake only came up to 486' and that was for a short period of time and then the bottom fell out. If we start with a higher level, then we are more able to reach full pool.
Many lake side property owners lose the ability to use their boat in the fall, winter, and spring because of low levels. There is a tradition around the lake to not use your boat at those times because of inaccessibility. Once the winter levels are raised we should see much more utilization as folks break old habits and enjoy the lake more--that really helps the local restaurants, stores, marinas, etc. Surely our restaurants will be more successful--part timers are needed all year.
Lake Martin is so much more than a reservoir for generating electricity. It is the economic engine of the three county area and we are trying to protect and expand the economy of the area. The recreation, the retirement community, the construction business, and retail stores will all benefit from a higher winter level. BTW, the AL Supreme Court ruled last year that Martin Dam was not constructed as a flood control dam, so that argument for keeping the winter level low has been negated.
Anytime you see your brush burn pile "under water", or that little project flooded, just remember '07--and smile. We've got a long way to go to get the approvals, but we'll get there.
HOBOs
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| Name: |
lakngulf
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/20/2010 4:02:06 PM
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If I knew that 483 would be the low each year, that would give me a better option for year round boating. I would then change to a Pontoon with a 4 stroke engine, not as big and fast as Jlazc and Maverick, but someting that would handle some freezing temps
Not sure that there would be any changes to my pier or floating dock.
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| Name: |
greycove
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/20/2010 4:10:38 PM
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The yoyo water level has sure interferred with trash and leaf burning, and shore cleaning this winter. I miss the lower water levels for this reason.
Dropping the lake to around 482 or so is not as important to me as would be more holding the lake at near full pool until mid October. There are many warm fall days when one can boat that late and see the leaves change. Beyond, gets too nippy without having to bundle up heavily.
APC could make up for this change in power generation by moving full pool to sometime in mid April. I need to know my tax bill before I can decide when to put a money pit (boat) in the water.
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| Name: |
realfast64
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/20/2010 9:00:45 PM
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Personally i think dropping the lake level to 484/483 will be a costly mistake. This lake unlike many northern lake drains almost 3000 square miles.that my friends is a large area and a lot of rain drops. Some with flat lots and along many creeks would be in serious trouble. A pier submerged just a foot will be damaged in a shot amount of time(hrs). Wood floats and post will not go back down.
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| Name: |
MartiniMan
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/20/2010 10:29:56 PM
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I like the 485 with 483 min concept. At 485 I have year round water that I can use. At 483 its year round but too shallow for anything but canoes and kayaks. But I agree with another poster that a later start to the drop would be nice. Fall boating, not having to take my boat out and winterize until later, etc.
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| Name: |
wix
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/21/2010 8:44:29 AM
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From what I've seen this year, Alabama Power has exhibited an ability to adjust the lake easily to prevent even the slightest chance of a flood condition you speak of, and without opening a floodgate. With near record rainfall they have not even had a rise of 5' and that rise was to allow the Coosa system to drain first. The lake is high now because they are keeping Thurlow down 10' till mid March. The highest this lake has ever been in 80+ years was 491'. That's one foot above full pool; even FEMA doesn't say you are in a flood plain if you house's lowest floor is above 492'. Your statement may hold water for lake's with flood easements like Logan Martin, Smith, or Allatoona, but not Martin.
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| Name: |
Pontoonfisher
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/21/2010 10:00:59 AM
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I say leave it at 480. Most of the people who are complaining now are the new people who did not understand the dynamics of the lake before they purchased their property and now they want to come in and change things to suite their needs. This is how it has been done for years and I see no reason to change it. I don't think it will ever change anyway. The only justification for a higher level is for recreational needs and there are more importatnt issues other than that to keep the current level.
For those who complain that you can't use your boat I know of cool invention that came out years ago. IT'S CALLED A TRAILER!!!!!!
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| Name: |
lakngulf
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/21/2010 10:28:55 AM
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Well, I know one thing that can be done with the water at 485.22. Recently, I reported that my 14 jon boat was missing, probably due to the sudden rise of the water level in this "yoyo" year. Late yesterday afternoon, I looked across the shore and on the sandy beach sat a nice green boat. With binoculars I could tell it looked like mine, but was not sure.
This morning we got as close to the area as we could with a 4-wheeler and there it was. the prodigal boat had come home! I took with me a paddle and life jacked, and rowed it home. Whew! I am too old for that. I told my wife that when the Prodigal son came home they had a big feast, that we should at least reward the Jon Boat with an 8hp four stroke motor. I am glad to have it home.
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| Name: |
BigFoot
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/21/2010 3:36:16 PM
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Wow....nice ending to the story, LNG! Congratulations!
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| Name: |
realfast64
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/21/2010 6:45:35 PM
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Amen poontoon i can guess where most of them are from
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| Name: |
realfast64
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/21/2010 7:01:34 PM
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Well mister WIX maybe you can explain to me and others why several years ago the bridge at Wadley was under water while one a few miles above Wadley was not submerged(both basicly the same height above the river) nor was the one at germany's ferry or the one at horseshoe bend on hwy 49?
Water is the most powerful source on earth we can contain it but we cannot totaly control it. I hope alabama power thinks this over carefully and does the right thing. I for one has seen this lake rise 5 foot in a short time. I have been on this lake since 1963 and i have never seen it 487+ in december. I also have never seen the tallapoosa river at wetumpka out of the banks in dec.or jan. when that happens we have to put a plug in it,regardless what HOBO or any one else wishes. When lot owners piers float away who pays for that ?FEMA?
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| Name: |
realfast64
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/21/2010 7:09:34 PM
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FEMA and flood ins. is another mistake that our elected officials made. We can never remove ourselfs from it,next we will be forced to buy tornado ins.If you property is below 500 your financial inst. may still require you to purchase flood ins. I have a friend that his foundation is 495.? less than 496. But he had to buy 5600.00(his cost in addition to his normal prem.) ins. If you can help him get his 5600 back he would love to talk with you.
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| Name: |
wix
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| Subject: |
realfast
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Date:
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2/21/2010 10:57:17 PM
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Since you were here, I'm sure you know that a historical rainfall, I believe eight inches, fell in the Wadley area in a short period of time. Not in the watershed above Harris, but between Harris and Martin. That's what caused that area to flood more than any other. I just checked and the Hwy 22 bridge floods at 35 ft and in 2003 the flood peaked at 37.2 ft. Point is that was a very localized flood just like Montgomery and Prattville was this summer. Martin rose about a foot at that time if my memory is correct and I believe some flood gates were opened. No big deal for Martin. It's all on the internet.
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| Name: |
wix
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/21/2010 11:05:43 PM
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Your mortgage company can make you buy flood insurance on top of Smith Mountain if you signed a contract allowing them to. Hope your friend bought fema insurance which is a few hundred for a quarter million in coverage. I've heard some mortgage companies are trying to sell commercial policies at outrageous prices so the mortgage company can get a nice kick back. Maybe that's where the $5,600 came from.
By the way, have you ever seen any docks washed away on Martin?
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| Name: |
Ulysses E. McGill
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| Subject: |
Opinion on Water Level
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Date:
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2/21/2010 11:44:43 PM
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Sounds like somebody is getting ripped off...that's about 10X what flood insurance should cost.
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that was an assumption....could be wrong is the place is a water mega-mansion.
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| Name: |
roswellric
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| Subject: |
Opinions are like.....
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Date:
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2/22/2010 10:17:33 AM
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Flowers...they bloom and fade...what did you think I was going to say?
I haven't read all these 368 posts but I think the lower the water level the greater the shoreline erosion. It just make sense that rain falling on mud will erode the exposed shoreline which will silt up the lake.
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| Name: |
realfast64
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| Subject: |
well,
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Date:
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2/22/2010 7:27:50 PM
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No it is a older house in bakers bottom. I can tell people here have no experience with flood ins. 250K is the max ins. you can buy no matter what price the house.
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| Name: |
realfast64
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| Subject: |
Opinions are like.....
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Date:
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2/22/2010 7:38:37 PM
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Well ros if the mud you are talking about is in the lake bed when the water goes down won't it still be in the lake bed when it rains and washes farther down into the lake bed? Answer is the lake will still have the same volume.
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don't have flood insurance, but did get a quote under $500.....us rednecks are just tryin' ta do our part and make u educated folk shine.
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| Name: |
roswellric
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| Subject: |
Opinions are like.....well...
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Date:
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2/22/2010 9:57:43 PM
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But... gravity always wins. You are washing the mud off the banks and watershed into the bottom. It builds up over the years. Nature always wins against man.
Did you know every man made lake has a life expectancy? Eventually it fills up with silt and contaminants and becomes a shallow mess.
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| Name: |
roswellric
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| Subject: |
Opinions are like.....well...OOPS
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Date:
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2/22/2010 10:02:09 PM
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hit enter... with the banks exposed it will erode faster than if say rain was falling on grass or woodland so the theory is it accelerates the silting. This is not my theory...the Corps (not Corpse) of Engineers has done studies on this.
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| Name: |
wix
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| Subject: |
realfast
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Date:
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2/23/2010 8:50:37 AM
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Of course I knew the maximum fema ins coverage was a quarter million, that's why I quoted that amount. Your insurance co will require you to have enough flood ins to cover their loan exposure for the building, usually. If your friend has more than a quarter mil loan, he may have to buy extra flood from a commercial co at an outrageous amount, but he still shouldn't have to buy flood for the value of the land.
Ric is right of the erosion of the lake bank. I remember seeing some stuff from the "corpse" on that.
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| Name: |
realfast64
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| Subject: |
Opinions are like.....well...
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Date:
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2/23/2010 8:02:08 PM
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Yes they do have a life expec. lake martin was 50 yrs. So much for theory.
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