Help Keep Lake Martin Water Level Up
Help! Alabama Power has requested to lower the required stream flow coming from Martin Dam, in an effort to keep the water level on Lake Martin from plummeting even more. Click here for the public notice from the Corps of Engineers.
Willard Bowers, Vice President of Environmental Affairs at Alabama Power, made a request on May 15 to Colonel Peter F. Taylor, Commander, Mobile District, US Army Corps of Engineers, to “implement a reduction .. of flow of 10%” on Martin Dam. He said that if they continue at the current flow, Lake Martin will be at its drought contingency level by July 4. In short, they want to reduce the flow so that the water level on Lake Martin might have a chance of not plummeting as quickly this summer.
Col. Taylor has responded by notifying the public about this request, to give everyone a chance to have some input. On page 3 of his notice, Col. Taylor notes that if the proposed changes are NOT implemented, APC has indicated that the “impact of maintaining (the current) release to the Alabama River has fallen completely on the remaining storage at Lake Martin…… Lake Martin is projected to be 14 feet below the rule curve by early August.” I might not be right, but I read that to mean that unless something changes, Lake Martin’s water level will be at 476 by August.
What can I do?
You can contact Chuck Sumner and let him know that you support the proposed reduction in flow from Martin Dam. Maybe you don’t support it; you can tell him that, too.
Email: Chuck Sumner, Inland Environmental Team
lewis.c.sumner@sam.usace.army.mil (thanks Mav)
Fax: (251)694–3815
Voice: (251)694–3857
Snail mail:
District Engineer
U.S. Army Engineer District, Mobile
P.O. Box 2288
Mobile, AL 36628–0001
DEADLINE: 10 CALENDAR DAYS FROM MAY 31, 2007
Please act now! This won’t restore Lake Martin to its normal summer level, and might not even keep us from dipping below 480. But at least it gives us a fighting chance!
Drought & Alabama Power Lower Lake Martin Level
Lake Martin’s water level is low this year, and it could get even lower.
Alabama Power says that Lake Martin’s water level started dropping on May 18 and “could be much lower on July 4.”
It is no news flash that Alabama and much of the southeast has suffered a severe drought so far in 2007. This follows on the heels of a dry 2006. Since part of Lake Martin’s existence depends on it maintaining a certain level downstream, it has been affected.
The folks at Alabama Power are not optimistic: “most streams that feed our lakes are at the lowest levels ever recorded.”
Lake Martin usually is filled to full pool, or 490 feet above sea level, by May. As of May 15 it was just under 486, and dropping. They are even reporting to FERC about the lower water flow.
Again, a quote from Alabama Power: “Martin is not expected to fill above 486 and will begin to drop May 18.”
Get used to it folks; prepare yourselves for reality.
Alabama Power owns the hydroelectric Martin Dam that dams the Tallapoosa River, creating Lake Martin. They control the water level to try and balance their power generating needs with ecological effects, recreational effects, and the commercial navigation of the Alabama River, which is downstream of the Tallapoosa.
Alabama Power is currently distributing the word through news agencies and their own press releases that we had better be ready for a long, dry summer.
Related Posts:
When Does The Water Level Go Down On Lake Martin?
Mythbuster: Alabama Power Leased Lots – Lake Martin
Mythbuster: Alabama Power Leased Lots - Lake Martin
Alabama Power has leased waterfront lots on Lake Martin for decades. Yet, so much rumor, speculation, and innuendo surrounds the topic it remains mysterious to many people, real estate agents included.
Allow me to try to bust the myth on this subject.
Why are there leased lots on Lake Martin?
Lake Martin was created in 1923 when the Southern Company (Alabama Power) built Martin Dam on the Tallapoosa River. They bought up all of the eventual waterfront at the elevation of 490 feet above sea level. Since old Mr. Ben Russell (founder of Russell Mills), already owned the damming rights to the Tallapoosa, the Power Company swapped him those rights for one half of the waterfront. Pretty much every inch of the 700 miles of waterfront of Lake Martin at one time or another was owned by either Alabama Power or Old Mr. Ben.
When did Alabama Power begin to lease lots on Lake Martin?
Sometime around in the 1960s, Alabama Power allowed people to build homes on the waterfront, but they retained ownership of the land underneath the home. The people own the sticks and bricks, the company owns the dirt. The people paid a monthly lease to do so. Over the years, depending on the opinions of officers at Alabama Power, the homeowners were given the chance to buy the dirt under their homes. No rhyme or reason to it, some years they would decide to sell, other years they would institute leases. That policy continues today. Who knows, they may decide to start selling lots to leaseholders tomorrow. They might not.
How does a lot lease work on Lake Martin?
These days, when Alabama Power leases a waterfront lot to homeowners, they have a written lease, just like you would for an apartment. The lease specifies the monthly rate (currently around $400), the length of the lease (currently twenty years), and the yearly increase of the rate. The key here is that every lot is different, so if you’re concerned, consult a lawyer. Alabama Power assigns the lease amount when they offer new lots for lease. They offer the lots in a bid system, meaning, the homeowners bid offers of cash to pay for the privilege of entering the lease. If you are the top bidder, then you must pay the monthly lease rate on top of that.
What happens at the lease end?
Again, you must examine each lease to be sure of how it works. But generally speaking, at the end of the lease, one of 4 things can happen:
1. Alabama Power renews the lease
2. Alabama Power sells you the lot
3. Alabama Power buys the house from you
4. You pick up the house and leave.
My family has been selling real estate in the Lake Martin area since 1953. We have never heard of Alabama Power buying a house, or making someone move their house away. Not that it is impossible, but it is, in my opinion, highly, highly, improbable. Most of the time they either renew the lease or sell you the lot. Once again, if in doubt, talk to a lawyer.
Can you sell a leased lot home?
One word answer - YES. There are plenty of great leased lot homes
for sale now (like this one) on Lake Martin and many that have sold in the past. Generally speaking, you can get more house or view for your money on a leased lot house than you can on a deeded lot home, because of the existence of the lease. The transaction works just like a deeded lot sale, except you have the added step of transferring the lease to the new owner. Alabama Power must approve this transfer, but usually it’s just a matter of paperwork.
Can you finance a leased lot home?
YES - easily. I almost always recommend that Lake Martin buyers use lenders from around the lake. Not because I am related to any many of them, but because lake financing is usually a bit different than your standard McHouse in McSuburbia. Local lenders are especially handy when it comes to financing a leased lot home. They are familiar with all of the documentation, so it’s a lot easier to work with them.
Do you own a leased lot home and have some advice to add? Or maybe you have questions that I haven’t answered here. If so, please comment on this post and I will do my best to answer anything else.
Related posts:
When Does The Water Level Go Down On Lake Martin?
Lake Martin Real Estate Spotlight: Bolton Cove Update
Lake Martin has a lot of development and new construction going on right now. One of the newest neighborhoods is called Bolton Cove. Below are some pictures of the construction progress, and how it compares to their plans.
Will the above be the site of the Bolton Cove Clubhouse?
The above is a rendering of the planned Bolton Cove Clubhouse per the developer.
To the left is an example of the “Tuscan inspired” lake homes that will be the theme throughout Bolton Cove. I doubt you will be able to rent any of these.
Below is a pic, I assume of home sites, next to an existing Lake Martin home that is 
not part of the project.
The pic to the left was made standing on the south end of the cove, looking west to the back of that slough. I couldn’t easily tell by looking around how much waterfront the lots will have on Lake Martin. Maybe the next time I check I will be able to see some stakes or something.
Planned amenities of Bolton Cove:
The Bolton Cove Manor provides:
- A community meeting room
- Dressing areas
- Swimming pool
- Hot tub
- Covered pavilions
- Outdoor fireplace
- Lake side beach
Concierge services:
- Boat valet to the marina
- Private slips
- Lawn care
- Hosting for Manor events
To find Bolton Cove by land, from Birmingham you take 280 east, then take a right on highway 9 south at Kellyton, Alabama. Then take a left on Coosa County Road 20 east. Take Coosa 20 east until you take a right on the second Bywater Road, Bolton Cove is immediately on your left. You can take a left on Kowaliga Cove Road, it borders some of Bolton Cove, too.
From Montgomery, take Alabama highway 9 north, take a right on 259 north at Equality, then a right on Coosa 20 east, see above.
From Auburn take 280 west, then take a left on 22 west in Alex City, then a left on 259 south, then left on Coosa 20 east, see above.
By water, you need to be on the Kowaliga side of Lake Martin. Go north towards Willow Point. Pass by Sand Island. Head towards Veazy’s Marina and Scrushy’s house. When you see the point across the water from Veazy’s, hang a left and go west. Bolton Cove is almost directly west of Veazy’s.
Related post:
Have You Heard About These 4 New Projects On Lake Martin?
Lake Martin Builder Spotlight: Landmark Constr.
Lake Martin is bustling with developers, builders, sub contractors, and all types of people in the construction industry. To shed some light on the life of one of the “good ones,” today we chat with Bradley Pemberton of Landmark Construction & Development, LLC:
1. How do you get your sub contractors to show up on time?
I’m sure there’s a joke in there somewhere. Seriously, I think it has to do with a number of things. First you have to know what “on time” means - proper expectations. You have to know what their work schedule will be on each project, because it will be different depending on the sub and job location. More importantly, I think if you’re honest, pay them quickly, and accept their bid without trying to beat them down, they will respect you more and work as hard and be as productive as they can.
2. Where do you find sub contractors that will work on Lake Martin?
These days subs will come from all over to work on Lake Martin. I like to deal with those whom I know best and already understand their schedules and quality of work. So I will first choose subs that I like to work with that are based closest to the area. For me that means Wetumpka, Eclectic, and Montgomery. However it is easy to find subs in Alexander City and Birmingham.
3. You have built all over Alabama. What is different about building around Lake Martin?
I like several things that have been different. I like that Tallapoosa County issues 
building permits for all projects outside of the city limits. I think this helps legitimize the contractors and maintains a level of quality for all builders. I have enjoyed working on lots with a little change in elevation. It’s a challenge but a lot more exciting. You know, Montgomery is not known for its beautiful mountain views; it’s pretty flat.
4. How do you build a spec house that is attractive to many people yet not so “cookie cutter” or clone looking?
I think you have to really concentrate on the details and the exterior. I think custom details that either come from ideas from previous custom homes or details specific to that house that present themselves as an opportunity to make a mark, are what you have to look for. I think you have to do the same thing either in exterior details like the eave, you know, around the roof, or on the site with landscaping or railing details. The look these days at Lake Martin is exposed natural wood, tongue and groove, stone work, with the house done in earth tone type colors. I like a lot of stone both inside and out, cedar beams, tongue and groove ceilings, that type thing.
5. What question did I not ask that you thought I would have asked?
I thought you would ask what I like most about construction. And the answer is that I love to solve problems and work out the small, (seemingly) inconsequential details. More than that, I like to see something created from a combination of materials and people’s God given abilities. It is so fun to ride by a project and be able to proudly say “I built that.”
Thanks, Bradley, for your time. We wish you continued success in the future. If you would like to know how Bradley can answer your Lake Martin construction questions, call him at (334)356–2259 or contact him at Landmark Construction and Development, LLC’s home page by clicking here.
