Residents Encouraged by New Lake Martin Water Levels
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Beautiful weather means many are heading up to Lake Martin. Tt’s a huge economic engine for the surrounding counties.
And newly approved regulations for the lake’s water level have many looking forward to an added economic boast.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, approved of a three foot increase to the winter lake level, on top of an extended summer level. That’ll make the season that drives the economy last into October instead of the beginning of September.
The federal requirements for the summer and winter lake levels for Lake Martin have remained the same since 1978.
Alabama Power and hundreds of residents have been pushing for changes for the past 8 years and now they’re finally going to see change.
David Heinzen, President Lake Martin Homeowners & Boat Owners Association said, “Boat repair places will get more business, mom and pop shops, restaurants, all the businesses that are working in this economy are going to benefit from it.”
The new water levels may not effect this summer season. So the new levels may not be in place until fall of 2016.
These new levels are expected to be in place between 30 to 50 years.
