Make An Impact At The Tallapoosa Watershed Conference
Conference Information:
Location: Central Alabama Community College, HEA Auditorium, 1675 Cherokee Road, Alexander City, AL
Date: Friday, April 11th, 2008
Cost: FREE registration and A FREE LUNCH will be provided
Topics: Drought impacts, upgrading Lake Martin to Outstanding Alabama Water, Lake Martin dam relicensing, community-based watershed initiatives, and the role of the AU Water Resources Center in management of the Tallapoosa River Basin
Register: To register (required), visit the Tallapoosa Watershed Project web site at: www.twp.auburn.edu
Thanks to Dick Bronson at Lake Watch for submitting this event to the Lake Martin Voice!
Lake Martin Breaks The Rule
Lake Martin’s water level has finally risen above the rule curve established by Alabama Power and the Corps of Engineers.
Today’s read of 481.83 is above the rule curve of 481.7. What does this mean in English? Lake Martin’s water level is ahead of the pace it needs to get to full pool of 490. This is great news. It has been over a year since we could say that.
How did it get there? Rain, plain and simple. The Lord God saw fit to send rain our way. It wasn’t Alabama Power, or the Governor, or the Corps of Engineers. They don’t make it rain, though their efforts (along with many others) make sure that we make the most with what we get.
Two days of storms have dumped 2 to 3 inches of rain in the Lake Martin watershed, and the result as been a rise in the lake’s level of 1.3 feet (so far) in the last 24 hours. This doesn’t mean the drought is over. But, the level raise has buoyed many spirits.
Praise God!
Related Reading:
Alabama and Lake Martin Win Battle In Water War
Higher Winter Water Level Approved For Lake Martin
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.
Lost At Lake Martin? Use Google’s Free Maps For Mobile
Ever been lost around Lake Martin? Has anyone given you bad directions to their cabin and frustrated you by relying on the term “can’t miss it?” If you were looking for 1135 Lakeview Drive, Dadeville, how would you like to be able to see this map on your cell phone:
Download Google’s Maps for Mobile on your cell phone and greatly diminish your odds of getting lost around Lake Martin.
Top 5 Cool things about Google Maps for mobile:
1. It’s free. The software from Google is free. You will pay, however, for the data that you download, so if you don’t have some sort of Internet data package with your cell phone you will be charged. If you have an unlimited data package – no worries! Even if my blackberry didn’t have unlimited data, I still would pay to download this, so I would have it in an emergency.
2. Google Maps for Mobile is accurate – even around Lake Martin. You are accessing the same data that Google Maps shows you on your PC – just in a format that is easy on mobile web surfing. Sure, it won’t have brand new roads, but it’s better than the most recent paper map.
3. It’s Searchable – let’s say you were in the Blue Creek area, riding around highway 50 by Martin Dam and were looking for somewhere to eat lunch. You can find your location and then search for “restaurant” – here’s what you would see:
You can click on any of these and be told their address and phone number.
4. “My Location” feature turns your cell phone into a GPS. This new feature uses cell phone towers to triangulate your exact location. Cool as crap. Availability and accuracy of this depends on where you are. I have not found a place on Lake Martin that it works. It works pretty well on Lake Martin. Depending on your cell coverage, it can place you from 1,000 to 5,000 meters. It works in Montgomery, though. If you think that the CIA will use it to track you, you can opt out of the My Location feature and still use Maps for Mobile.
5. No further software needed. GPS companies like Garmin etc have products that you can download for $99 and then pay a recurring fee through your cell phone provider– all to get the same thing as this. Lake Martin lovers need only download Google Maps for mobile software, that’s it. Click here and Google will send you a link to download it.
Higher Winter Water Level Approved For Lake Martin
Lake Martin scored a major victory when FERC approved Alabama Power’s plan to raise the winter water level to 483, effective this year.
Alabama Power has also requested to move up the date to fill the Lake Martin to summer level up to January 15, 2008. THIS IS ALL GOOD NEWS.
Lake Martin’s winter water level is usually 480 msl. It’s lower than that this year, as Alabama has suffered through the worst drought recorded in 80 years. Pretty much the rest of the southeast has suffered, too, but Alabama and Georgia have been hit the hardest.
Also, Alabama Power is in the process of reapplying for the license to operate Martin Dam. 
Most everyone that knows and loves Lake Martin is hoping that the move to 483 level during the winter will be a part of that relicensing, as well as the early fill up date of January 15.
If we get our normal amount of rain, this should mean that Lake Martin will recover its “lost” water more quickly. Yee-haw!!
Can you believe it? How many of you out there will be able to drive your boat to your dock at 483 feet versus 480? I am betting lots.
Related posts:
Alabama Power Wants Higher Winter Water Level On Lake Martin
Why / When Does The Water Level Go Up On Lake Martin?
Closets For Your Lake Martin Cabin: $50
Do you have a a cabin on Lake Martin with no little or no closet space? Why not buy a nice armoire for $50?
Lots of the waterfront homes around Lake Martin were built in the 1960s, so that means no storage. The owners can fix them up or keep them rustic, but lack of closets can be a hassle. In fact, one of my listings that sold this summer didn’t have a closet.
Solution: Buy a used armoire. I read in a recent Wall Street Journal article that there are tons of really nice used armoires out there for the taking, some as little as $50. This is caused by the flat screen TV phenomenon. As people upgrade to the new thing, they can no longer fit them into their entertainment center / armoire.
Hotels have it even worse. As they struggle to keep fresh, they are dumping armoires by the thousands. Why not buy one online and take it to your Lake Martin cabin? Either keep it for a tube TV or convert it to store clothes, lake toys, or whatever. Many of these furniture pieces are from pretty swanky hotels.
Check it out:
WHERE TO FIND THEM:
Hotel Surplus Outlet, www.hotelsurplus.com
This Los Angeles liquidator is encouraging customers to buy armoires and convert them into computer stations.
Armoires start at $89.95. Starting next year, the company plans to throw in free tube TVs to help move inventory.
Starting prices for armoires here are down to $50. Among its hotel clients: Le Meridien in Beverly Hills.
This Fort Lauderdale liquidator has sold armoires that were once used to furnish the Breakers hotel in Palm Beach.
GIVE YOUR CABINET A MAKEOVER:
Learn how to convert your entertainment armoire into a wardrobe.
Alex City Water System Extends Intakes Deeper in Lake Martin
The drought this year has threatened to lower the level of Lake Martin to below where the intake valves for the water works of the City of Alex City are located. The City has had to extend their intake valves to deeper water. This video was filmed 10–26–2007 on the Tallapoosa River just above River North Marina. Click on the “play” symbol in the middle of the video below to watch it.
Or you can click here to see the video on Youtube.
Alabama Power Wants Higher Winter Level On Lake Martin
Lake Martin HOBOs President Jesse Cunningham announces that Alabama Power is taking a major step by requesting to hold more water in the lake during the next few winters. Cunningham reports in an email, “I received word on Friday from Charles Stover with Alabama Power that they have just filed a request with FERC” to increase the winter water level to 483 from 480. Three extra feet spread over 44,000 acres means that we would need a heck of a lot less rain to get to full pool of 490.
This will please Lake Martin property owners that might have access to the lake at 483, but not the normal winter level of 480 msl. The higher winter water level will give more recreational opportunities to boaters, skiers, and anglers. The higher the water, the easier it is to launch a boat, and the easier to navigate and enjoy.
Alabama Power is applying to renew their permit to operate Martin Dam. Before they request any big change, they must submit reams of data to prove to FERC that any operational change will have minimum impact. Maybe this awful drought that we have been suffering will give Alabama Power more ammo to prove the obvious point - more water in Lake Martin is a good thing. I think they used to fear holding too much in case of a hurricane or flash flood. But these days, with them computers and what all, we can predict precipitation much more accurately, and we have plenty of time to open the gates in case of a flood.
Sure, this probably won’t help us this winter, but every winter thereafter will be great. Kudos to Alabama Power and every Lake Martin affinity group that helped push this idea. Let’s hope FERC approves it!
Related posts:
Alabama Power Seeks Input To Relicense Martin Dam
Drought & Alabama Power Lower Lake Martin Level
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 …
Tired of having to type and click to get the latest Lake Martin real estate news?
Lazy man’s special – subscribe to Lake Martin Voice by email by entering your address in the yellow box at the top right, and click “Subscribe.” We are also available via RSS feed for you really cool folks.
ElCo Tax Man Squeezes Lake Martin Property Owners
If you own Lake Martin waterfront property that is in Elmore County, chances are that your assessment (and therefore property taxes) went up this year. I have heard lots of anguish from taxpayers that were shocked by their increase this year. I don’t know that those in Elmore County are any worse than Tallapoosa or Coosa, but ElCo has been hit hard this year. Property tax rates have stayed the same, but when they raise your assessed value, your taxes go up anyway.
If you disagree with your assessment, there is an appeals process. You will need to call the Elmore County courthouse at 334–567–1428. They only allow you to appeal for a certain time, so if you disagree, hurry up. Be warned – I have heard of some taxpayers’ appraisals actually going UP after an appeal. I guess after scrutinizing, the tax man figured he needed to go up, not down.
Lake Martin property owners from outside the state of Alabama should note that our property tax fiscal year runs October 1 to September 30. So, the bill that you have to pay by December 31, 2007, is based on an appraisal at October 1, 2006. Therefore any appeal that you make would need to estimate the value at 10–1–2006.
The best way to get your appraisal lowered is to show them comparable sales that prove a lower
value. The best comparables are those that are most like your waterfront home or lot. On Lake Martin, most of the value is in the dirt, so look for comparables with similar views, water depths, and sizes as yours. Then try and find homes that are like yours. Generally, it is easier to first find similar lots, then adjust for the differences in the homes. For instance, if your neighbor sold on September 20, 2006, and his lot is almost exactly like yours, you would only need adjust for the differences in your homes. If he had four bedrooms and you only have three, then you would adjust down by the cost or value of an extra bedroom.
If you are trying to appeal your assessment, and need some comparable sales, or you are just wondering what your Lake Martin waterfront home or lot is worth, give me a call. I would be glad to help you out, no cost, no obligation, no cheesy sales pitch, no guilt. I promise. Just buy me a Slim Jim at Nail’s and we’ll call it even.