Clean Lake Martin And Get A T Shirt To Prove It
The Annual Lake Martin Cleanup portion of the Renew Our Rivers program will be held this Saturday, June 7, 2008.
Renew Our Rivers is a joint effort between Alabama Power and the Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership. If you pitch in and help, you’ll get a free T shirt and all sorts of other cool swag. Plus you get the satisfaction of helping keep Lake Martin clean.
How long have you just ridden by that old air conditioner that’s laying in the woods just off the road to your cabin? What about that fast food bag that someone threw out last Labor Day? How long do you actually plan to keep those 4 silver bubble floats that have been punctured since 1991?
Depending on your location, sometimes it’s hard to find legitimate places to dump trash around Lake Martin. So if you have procrastinated cleaning up because you didn’t know where a dump was, here’s your chance to do a good deed and get a T shirt to boot.
Here is some more info taken from this article in the Outlook:
“Collection sites will be Dare Park, Real Island Boat Ramp, Kowaliga Boat Ramp and the Alexander City Coley Creek Boat Ramp. The event begins at 8 a.m. with Alabama Power giving volunteers t-shirts, plastic gloves and trash bags at each collection point.
Last year, the Lake Martin Cleanup Day saw 167 volunteers collect 6.17 tons of trash.”
Why not go ahead and sign up for the Poker Run to benefit the Sherriff’s Girls’ Ranch so that you’ll have something to do after the cleanup? It’s sponsored by 93.9 FM – call 334–887–9999 for more details.
Related posts:
How To Get One Up On Lake Martin Wannabes
Little Kowaliga’s Little Steel .. errr… Concrete Bridge?
If you have a Lake Martin house in the Little Kowaliga area, you are well aware that Little Steel Bridge Road aka Elmore County Road 55 is closed. If you are heading to the Real Island or Parker Creek areas of Lake Martin, and are coming from the south, be aware that you must detour. Keep going north on highway 9, when you hit downtown Equality, take Coosa County Road 2 east.
I have a home for sale near Real Island, and was heading over there last Friday. I took that chance to snap these pictures. I came away with a few observations:
a.) Little Steel Bridge is steel no longer. Mostly concrete with some steel girders thrown in for good measure (read engineering).
b.) It’s going to take a while to complete. Get used to the detour.
c.) Will they change the name of the road? Unlikely.
Lake Martin Maps: Pre Civil War And Web 2.0
For anyone that likes old maps of Alabama – or if you would like to see what your Lake Martin property looked like before the lake was built – I have a great site for you.
The University of Alabama is a great site resource for these old maps. Some of them date back to the early 1800s. Here are links to Lake Martin counties:
Old Tallapoosa County Maps Old Elmore County Maps Old Coosa County Maps
Click this link for other Alabama Counties. Hat tip to boataholic on the Lake Martin Forum for the heads up on this link!
While I’m on the subject of maps, please click on my map of Lake Martin. I have made a Google Map that shows Lake Martin marinas, restaurants, my listings of Lake Martin real estate for sale, and Coley Real Estate office locations. If you click on any of the listings, I have added in little pictures of the homes for sale, links to their information on my blog, and also links to their online video tours.
Since it’s a Google Map, you can switch back and forth between street map view and satellite photo images. They recently have updated parts of Lake Martin with the ability to really zoom in tight, so it might be fun to zoom way into your spot on the lake.
Alabama And Lake Martin Win Battle In Water War
Lake Martin and Alabama have won a victory in the long running “water war” with Georgia and Florida.
In this press release, Governor Bob Riley calls it “the most consequential legal ruling in the 18 year history of the water war.”
What happened?
The US Court of Appeals ruled that a “secret settlement” between Georgia, the Corps of Engineers, and Atlanta area water users is illegal under federal law.
What was the “secret settlement?”
It would have allocated about 23% of Lake Lanier for Atlanta’s water supply. Lake Lanier is a federal reservoir.
Why should anyone outside the state of Georgia care what Georgians do with Lake Lanier’s water?
A federal reservoir means it is owned by all tax payers of the US government, not just Georgians. As Riley said in this article: “”It establishes that the decades-old practice of Atlanta taking more and more water from the federal reservoirs in the Coosa and Chattahoochee Rivers without any legal authority to do so will not stand.”
How does this affect Lake Martin’s water level?
If Georgia is forced to take less water out, there is more water flowing into the Coosa system, which means Lake Martin has to put less water out to hold up the level in the Alabama River (which is formed by the Coosa and Tallapoosa).
What does this victory mean for Lake Martin in the larger scope of the water war?
The Guv thinks that this decision could be used to challenge other withdrawals by Georgia communities upstream. More water coming in, and less going out, equals more water for Lake Martin, and a more stable water level. Hoo-yah!!
For related reading, please see all posts that relate to Lake Martin water level:
Gov Bob Riley On Water Wars And Lake Martin
Alabama Governor Bob Riley has recently played a huge role in lobbying FERC on behalf of Lake Martin’s water level. He is also Alabama’s most visible representative in the ongoing “Water Wars” – the struggle of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama to determine the future water usage of each state, and how that impacts the other two.
The Guv recently spoke to the Montgomery Lions Club, of which I am a member. He spoke on a variety of topics, then opened the floor for questions. Since I am keenly interested in feeding my children, I asked:
“What is the update on the Water Wars?”
Thankfully, The Guv limited his response to include some examples that affect Lake Martin. Namely he talked about how the recent drought caused Georgia to nearly suck their lakes dry, which of course directly and indirectly affected water flow into Alabama, and therefore Lake Martin.
He made two interesting points that cause me to have hope for Alabama’s 
(and Lake Martin’s) negotiating positions:
1. Georgia’s reservoirs (like Lake Lanier) were built by the Federal Government. Not a private company (Martin dam was built by Alabama Power) or even the state government. Since federal tax dollars were used to build those dams, don’t they belong just as much to the citizens of Alabama and Florida as the citizens of Georgia?
2. Apparently all of these dam projects must have charters where they state the purpose for building the dam in the first place. In my deliberately cursory and extremely biased review of the COE site, I saw no mention of using the water for watering golf courses in Buckhead, water amusement parks by ATL, or boiling hot dogs at The Varsity. To the contrary, their charters state that among their purposes is to regulate water flow to navigable rivers. True, Lake Lanier and Lake Martin are on two different watersheds. But I think the Guv was trying to point out the inherent responsibility of downstream flow when the Georgia lakes were built.
I realize that this is a huge subject, with points and counter points on all three states’ sides. The above two items hardly encompass the entire argument. I also realize that it is possible that I misunderstood Gov. Riley, however hard I tried not to just hear the good news selectively.
But, I do feel confident that Lake Martin stands a great chance of coming out of this with more than we started with, such as a higher winter water level.
Do any of you out there in Lake Martin readerland have more to add to this topic? Please click “Continue” and then “Leave A Reply.” I am sure that others would benefit from your comments.
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Lake Martin’s Sand Island Repaired By Russell Lands
Lake Martin’s Sand Island has been battered by erosion and losing real estate for many years. Alabama’s 80 year record drought exposed a land bridge and afforded area developer Russell Lands an opportunity to drive to it and make repairs.
I rode out there on Friday, December 14, 2007. It was pretty weird to be able to drive to an island that I have ridden past in a boat hundreds of times. I shot some video to show the repairs that Russell Lands did to stave off erosion. They created a sea wall made of rip rap similar to those found on many Lake Martin waterfront homes. To make the video play below, click on it, then click on the Play arrow in the center.
Click here for the direct link to Youtube.
Sorry for those dark corners. I used the wrong lens. FYI, if you’re thinking about driving out there, don’t bother. The road is blocked by a couple of sturdy, locked gates. Plus, it’s deer hunting season, and the area is heavily hunted.
My sincere thanks and Kudos go out to Russell Lands for repairing this famous Lake Martin / Kowaliga area landmark. They deserve a lot of credit for using this crazy drought as a chance to do some good.
Also many thanks to my friend and Salvaging Mentor Larry Bain of Lake Martin Dock Company for the ride out there.
Lake Martin Drought Hits The Weather Channel Video
The historically harsh drought that has hit Lake Martin in 2007 has been highlighted by The Weather Channel Network. They sent reporter Julie Martin (no relation) to shoot a video spot that aired last night. Click here for the video. If for some reason it doesn’t auto play after the commercial, look to the right and select the video titled “Drought and no water to drink.”
The Alex City Outlook also reported on the video.
Mostly, I think it’s a pretty good report. I would have liked her to point out that right now it is about 3 feet below the winter water plan, or, 3 feet lower than it normally would be. Not 13 lower. Still, maybe reports like this will help Alabama Power in its appeals to the Corps of Engineers to allow less downstream flow.
Incidentally – my Dad’s real estate office in downtown AC (aka the Northern Command) is visible at 0:32 in to the video, 2 doors to the left of Carlisle’s Clothing. Maybe now I can talk him into hanging a “www.LakeMartinVoice.com” sign on the front of his building – or maybe a Glamour Shot photo of the two of us … hmmmm …
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Lake Martin Marina Spotlight: Real Island Marina
Real Island Marina - one of Lake Martin’s older full service marinas - is located in Elmore County on the southwest side of the lake. It’s close to Lake Martin landmarks such as Kowaliga Marina, Kowaliga Bridge, Willow Point, Parker Creek, and Sand Island. The Real Island / Little Kowaliga area is popular on Lake Martin. Since it is relatively close to Montgomery and Birmingham, homes for sale in the Real Island area are typically sought after by lake goers from these cities.
Real Island Marina sits on Little Kowaliga Bay, at the edge of the old Little Kowaliga Creek. It used to be an independent marina, but several years ago it was purchased by Lake Martin major landowner and real estate developer Russell Lands. It is now part of the group of 4 marinas that Russell Lands owns on Lake Martin.
One unique thing about Real Island Marina is the RV Rental area. That’s right - you can trailer your RV to Lake Martin and rent a spot from Russell Lands at Real Island. The views are great, looking over Little Kowaliga. The RV park probably sits on a couple million dollars worth of dirt. It stays booked up with long term leases, but if you want a spot, no harm in asking by calling the number below.
Real Island offers gas service, some boat parts, convenience store type food, and dry boat storage. Most of 
the time they have dry storage available, but with the recent drought, they might be booked up. If you need storage over the fall and winter, call now.
Right now, the water level on Lake Martin is 478.1 feet. There is a boat ramp at Real Island Marina, and you may or may not able to launch from there. You definitely should call and ask them before you make the trip.
To contact Real Island Marina:
2700 Real Island Road Equality, AL 36026
Phone: 334-857-2741
Alabama Power Seeks Input To Relicense Martin Dam
Alabama Power owns and operates the hydroelectric Martin Dam, which impounds the Tallapoosa River to create Lake Martin. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) – regulates Alabama Power’s operation of Martin Dam, and its effect on the water flow downstream on the Tallapoosa River, as well as any economic, environmental, and other impacts in the Tallapoosa River Basin.
Every 25 years Alabama Power must apply to FERC to renew its license to operate the dam. As you can imagine, it is a really big deal, and a lengthy, red tape filled process. They are required by FERC to perform all kinds of studies – water quality, water quantity, erosion and sedimentation, wildlife impact, economic impact – just to name a few.
Other regulatory agencies, such as ADEM, also get involved, suggesting different studies that they think should be taken into account. Local advocacy groups, such as LMRA, CALM, Lake Watch, and the Lake Martin HOBOs, have all had a keen interest in the process to try and put forth issues that they each feel should be addressed on how Lake Martin is managed.
Input is also sought from average joes like you and me. For instance, yesterday I attended a public meeting in Alex City for those interested in the different “Issue Groups” about the Relicensing Project. I went to the “Water Quality and Quantity Issue Group.” Most of the material was over my head, but the basic gist was that this group is focused on studies about water quality and quantity. Jim Crew, the Alabama Power employee in charge of the Martin Hydro Relicensing Project, gave an overview of the process. They are in the first formal stages of creating that application. They must apply by 2011 to be renewed in 2013.
If you have any concerns whatsoever about Lake Martin and how it is run, now is your chance to get in the loop and let your voice be heard. For instance, if you think that they should only lower the water 5 feet in the winter in the future, visit the Martin Hydro Relicensing Project’s web site. Call Jim Crew at 205–257–4265 or Viki Jackson at 205–257–2211 and ask them how you can get involved. After sitting through that meeting, and talking with Alabama Power officials afterward, I got the feeling that they are honestly doing their very best to involve all the “stake holders” in this and address everyone’s concerns.
Alabama Power has also recently gone to bat for Lake Martin against the Corp of Engineers and other influences that affect Lake Martin’s water level and I applaud them for it. If you have been an APCo hater in the past, thinking that they are part of some shadowy effort to rob you of nostalgia, well, here’s a chance to get them to listen to you. Act now or wait until June of 2036.
Lake Martin Drought of 1941 Was Worse than 2007
Lake Martin has been a victim of the 2007 drought that has affected Alabama and much of the southeast. The lake level is down to 480 already, which is the normal winter level.
Apparently in 1941 it was worse. 50 feet down is about as bad as it gets. I think back then they used to bring the level down in the winter by 30 feet anyway, so maybe the 1941 drought’s true effect was 20 or so feet. Since this picture was taken in November, I am sure there is some effect of the winter level.
Still, 50 feet down is pretty bad. I was shocked to see this in an email that was circulating around. Maybe someone will debunk this as an urban legend, but at the very least we can be glad that we don’t have to make up 50 feet this spring.
Thanks to Eric of Lakedog Appraisals for sending me the photo!