This year central Alabama residents can swim and ride boats at one lake shared by Coosa, Tallapoosa, and Elmore Counties way into the fall.
Boating and recreation season at Lake Martin will be extended this year. Alabama Power plans to maintain the water levels in Lake Martin until Oct. 15.
AL.com reports water levels at the lake would typically experience a drop in September. The new plan could result in higher levels of water that will allow for more time for boating and swimming.
Draining the manmade lake helps capture seasonal rainwater. This year’s drawdown will include an additional 3 feet from Dec. 31 through mid-February 2022.
Alabama Power is required to perform the extra drawdown every six years under the utility’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license.
The shallow water also allows lakeside property owners to do maintenance on their homes.