The team of LMLPA water monitors have completed their monthly assessment of the quality of Logan Martin Lake. The results of their testing is linked here.
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Spring 2012 Edition of LMLPA Water Waves now ONLINE!
Posted in News, Photos
Tagged adem, clean up, lakefest, monofilament, newsletter, shoreline guidelines, water waves
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Where’s The Water?
The following is a press release issued by Alabama Power on April 20, 2012. At the time of this post, Logan Martin’s level was 462.1, 1.1 feet below rule curve.
Alabama Power reservoirs on Coosa, Tallapoosa impacted by dry conditions
Extremely dry conditions have recently developed across many parts of Alabama and are having a significant impact on Alabama Power reservoirs. Many streams that feed Alabama Power lakes are approaching record low levels of flow for this time of year, particularly in the Coosa and Tallapoosa river basins.
Since late last year, Alabama Power has taken a number of steps in preparation for dry conditions normally associated with La Nina weather events. Among them:
- The company received a variance from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to temporarily raise the winter level at Lake Martin by 3 feet.
- The company received a variance from The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to raise Lake Harris earlier than normal.
- As conditions worsened over the last three weeks, Alabama Power has taken additional steps to try and fill our lakes, including:
- The company has significantly reduced hydro generation releases in an effort to preserve as much water as possible in the lakes.
- The company is reducing its flows to the Alabama River by 20% in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- The company has requested FERC approval for a reduction in required minimum flow releases from Jordan Dam on the Coosa River.
Alabama Power will continue to work with federal and state agencies to monitor the developing drought conditions and develop responses that protect water quality, wildlife and navigation to the fullest possible extent. The involved agencies include FERC, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Alabama Office of Water Resources. The company will work to keep lake communities, the public and others informed about dry conditions and their impacts on its hydro operations.
Even with these efforts, all of Alabama Power’s lakes on the Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers may not reach full pool by the beginning of summer. Lake Harris is the primary concern for filling because of extremely low flows in the upper Tallapoosa.
People with boats and other water-related equipment and facilities should be alert to conditions on and below Alabama Power reservoirs, and take the necessary steps to protect their property.
For the latest on lake levels and Alabama Power’s efforts to manage these dry conditions, visit www.alabamapower.com and click the “Lake Conditions” link on the left side of the page. Information can also be obtained by calling Alabama Power’s automated Reservoir Information System at 1-800-LAKES11 (1-800-525-3711).
Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), provides electricity to more than 1.4 million customers across the state.
Media Inquiry Line: 205-257-4155
News Media Contact:
Keisa Sharpe
ksharpe@southernco.com
Posted in Lake Levels, News
Tagged alabama power, ferc, lake lfevels, logan martin lake level
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Shoreline Permitting Changes for Logan Martin
You may have heard of changes concerning permitting on Logan Martin Lake. Here’s what we know so far: Alabama Power has been granted a “Programmatic General Permit” by Army Corps of Engineers.
According to the notice from the Army Corps of Engineers (PDF), the programmatic general permit was designed “ to avoid unnecessary duplication of regulatory control exercised by another federal, state, or local agency,” and to “expedite authorization of work…that would have minimal adverse impact on the aquatic environment.”
It looks like this process is being introduced to ensure that all work complies with the Rivers and Harbors Act (navigability) and the Clean Water Act (discharging material into waterways). There are additional provisions protecting endangered species and historical properties as well, as these are covered by other federal laws.
Several other rivers in the Coosa, Tallapoosa, and Warrior Basins are also affected.
What has not changed:
Permit applicants will only apply to Alabama Power (APCO), rather than applying to both APCO and the Corps, for authorizations under both the Corps’ permits and APCO’s Shoreline Permit program.
What is new:
Updated 2/23: Per APCO Shoreline Management, the Joint Permit Application does not need to be filled out separately.
APCO will verify that a proposed project meets the terms and conditions of the Corps’ permits, and notify the applicant, and provide the General and Special Conditions of the Corps’ permit, along with any project specific conditions. This notification will accompany APCOs Shoreline Permit.
What you can expect:
It’s tough to tell at this point, but it’s likely that the shoreline permitting process may take a bit longer than it did prior to the change. We’re working with Shoreline Management to get a representative to come to a future LMLPA meeting to answer your questions. Stay tuned.
RESOURCES:
The Corps’ Website for the Mobile District Regulatory Division
Public Notice Number SAM-2010-00509-CHE (PDF)
Correspondence concerning this Public Notice should refer to Public Notice Number
SAM-2010-00509-CHE and should be directed to:
District Commander
AnN: Casey Ehom
U.S. Army Engineer District, Mobile
Birmingham Field Office
218 Summit Parkway, Suite 222
Homewood, Alabama 35209
with a copy to the:
Alabama Department of Environmental Management
Post Office Box 301463
Montgomery, Alabama 36130-1463
