Lake level drawdown for winter starts Oct 1

LOGAN MARTIN LAKE 

LOGAN MARTIN LAKE

The lake was just above its normal summer pool level Friday afternoon, heading into the last weekend before the drawdown begins.

“We will try to keep the lake as close to the summer pool level of 465 feet as we can until Oct. 1, when we begin the drawdown to winter pool,” said Brandon Glover, a spokesman with Alabama Power Company.

Glover said the lake should reach its winter pool level of 460 feet Dec. 31.

“The primary reason for the drawdown is flood control,” he said. “It gives the added benefits of vegetation control and also allows homeowners to do repairs below normal summer levels such as pier installations and seawall repairs.”

Glover said once the lake reaches its winter pool level, it is expected to stay at that level until April of next year.

“They will begin to refill the lake April 1, 2012, and it should hit summer pool around the middle of May 2012,” he said.

Glover said although Alabama Power Company received a variance for a winter pool level of 462 feet last year, the company has not requested a variance this year.

“Normally when we request a variance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, there are drought conditions or predicted drought conditions,” he said. “We haven’t requested one for this year because we do not see those conditions at this time. But it could change if conditions change.”

Glover said Alabama Power Company will continue to monitor the lake levels and predicted conditions.

“If we see the need for a variance, then we would request one,” he said.

Additional information regarding lake levels is available at www.alabamapower.com or by calling 1-800-LAKES 11.