Alabama Power Carefully Managing Lakes During Ongoing Drought

Alabama Power continues to actively manage its lakes as Alabama experiences drier‑than‑normal weather. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, much of the state is currently experiencing some level of drought.

With spring rainfall significantly below normal, some Alabama Power lakes are lower than what’s typical heading into summer. Even so, the company remains focused on thoughtful planning to make the most of available water as the dry period continues.

“We know how important the lakes are to the people who live, work and spend time on them, especially as summer approaches,” said Billy Edge, Alabama Power’s Shoreline Manager. “That’s why our hydro team began closely monitoring dry conditions back in December and taking actions within our federal licenses to keep as much water in the lakes as possible.”

Since late last year, Alabama Power has worked daily to manage lake levels responsibly under its federal licenses, coordinating with state and federal agency partners to adjust operations where possible. These early actions have helped retain more water in the lakes despite continued dry conditions.

Drought conditions have the greatest impact on storage lakes that rise and fall seasonally. These include Harris and Martin lakes on the Tallapoosa River; Weiss, Neely Henry and Logan Martin lakes on the Coosa River; and Smith Lake on the Black Warrior River.

During this drought, Alabama Power will continue to make use of any rainfall to support lake levels. Without consistent rain, some lakes may remain below typical summer levels. The company remains committed to thoughtful planning and communication with lake users.

As boating, fishing and outdoor activities increase, Alabama Power encourages lake visitors and property owners to stay aware of current lake conditions, use caution in shallow or unfamiliar areas, and adjust boats or docks as needed.

Current lake levels and operational information are available at apcshorelines.com and on the Shorelines app, which provides lake‑specific updates and notifications.