Chattahoochee River Whitewater Topics: Lake levels

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	Name:	Osms -
	Subject:	Lake levels
	Date:	8/18/2009 12:08:40 PM

Thanks for being concerned about our lake levels. We (HOBOs) have requested that the lake be raised in the spring to achieve 490' by March 1. APCo has requested and received persmission from FERC to raise the spring level early the past two years by March 1, because of the continuing drought. The drought has subsided so we don't know what will happen in 2010.

We requested that the new licensing also require leaving the lake at or near full pool until at least November 1, and that the winter level be changed to 485'. The lake would begin rising from winter level about January 15.

FERC has required APCo to study the effects of raising the winter levels one foot at a time to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts. These studies are on going and will end next year. The final submission is targeted for 2011 with approval and implementation scheduled for 2013. By the way, the approval for the Coosa River system is two years behind schedule.

FERC ordered APCo to fund an economic impact study of the three county area for raising the winter level of the lake; cost is stated at $500K. This study will examine practically all aspects of the lake's impact on the area, so we are very proud of APCo and FERC for undertaking this unique effort. Although certainly valuable to the area, the recently completed study only looked at the real estate value impacts of keep the lake up longer in the fall and raising it earlier.

As an interesting sidelite, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled this spring that Lake Martin was not licensed with a primary function of flood control, nor was it designed as such. The case was brought by down stream farmers, who planted crops in nature's flood plain--they lost.

We encourage all stakeholders to stay knowledgeable and involved with the lake and the relicensing process. The HOBOs represent many lake stakeholders and we try to keep them informed.