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Name:   Landing - Email Member
Subject:   Boathouse damage
Date:   8/27/2006 2:58:14 PM

We have not had much damage (yet) coming from the lower lake level, but the wake from some of the boats that come in our area to play is definitely taking a toll on our dock. The boat owners who desire these damaging wakes need to play in non populated areas of the lake. I'm surprised that Alabama Power isn't worried about their shoreline from these "waves".



Name:   Handy Man - Email Member
Subject:   Boathouse damage
Date:   8/27/2006 4:22:33 PM

I don't mean to mess up your cornflakes.... but.... I doubt that there is any more damage to the shoreline whether the water is up or down. The biggest change in the shoreline is that while the water is down more vegetation will grow which will result in more grazing and hiding and breeding area (natural habitat) for the fish when the water comes back up. As for the people playing on the lake... most are unaware of any damage their wake will cause and as tasteless as it sounds they most likely feel that they have just as much right to play in the water as you have to put a boathouse in the water... really sad thing about that scenario is that they would be correct. Kinda like I don't like the fast bass boats running all over me on the lake but I'd probably play heck trying to get rid of all the bass boats just so I can enjoy what I want to enjoy and have what I want to have. Sometimes its just a little tough to share the lake with everyone and we all want to enjoy it in our own way and we all should have the right to do so. Tolerance gets a little hard to find from time to time..... temperance .... well, let's leave that to Carey Nations and the WCTU.



Name:   Landing - Email Member
Subject:   Boathouse damage
Date:   8/27/2006 10:00:00 PM

I didn't mean to relay the message that I'm against regular boating activities on the lake. We play on our Seadoos, ski behind boat, and fish from our bass boat. I have a problem with boaters who load their boats with gallons of water so they will have a larger, higher wake behind the boat. I'm sure this wake helps them to surf and wakeboard in a better way. Even though they are having a great time with the large wake, that same wake puts extra strain on boat docks. When these waves continue to hit docks hour after hour (and where we are located, these type of boats come in to play constantly), it does get into the wallets of homeowners. I don't believe that we have the right to always do as we please; I believe that we should be good stewardards of this beautiful area and courteous and thoughtful to those around us. There are areas where these boaters can "play" and their large waves won't hit any boatdock. They just need to take the time to seek out these places.



Name:   Handy Man - Email Member
Subject:   Boathouse damage
Date:   8/28/2006 6:24:36 AM

Actually... I totally agree with you.... However, what I was saying is that ..."that's the way it is"... Too, I've kinda had my feathers ruffled by a few people on this lake who want everything so quiet and peaceful that I think they should be on "Golden Pond" rather than on a recreational lake. I've been around here a long time and have seen alot of really stupid things people do to have fun without considering what the effects are on other people or their property... as the old saying goes "kids will be kids" and "old folks will be old folks". There is a flip side to everything.
I can tell you that I totally enjoy my place most when there are a bunch of children here and I can see them playing and laughing and there is always one that gets mad or cries at some point.... just seeing the joy of children at play lifts my spirit and makes me enjoy it even more... Of course, sometimes, after they've had their fun for a day or two I'm ready for them to go so I can get back to doing what I want to do.



Name:   Deep Water - Email Member
Subject:   Boathouse damage
Date:   8/28/2006 11:35:00 AM

What is the Alabama law about 100ft and no wake? Alabama law also has something to say about boaters are responsible for damage they may cause.

We need to push for better enforcement of the state laws. This will require more officers and more citizens complaining about the reckless boating habits of some boaters.



Name:   TubeMan - Email Member
Subject:   Boathouse damage
Date:   8/28/2006 11:38:24 AM

I totally agree with both of you, if I'm allowed to do that. I don't feel we're living on Golden Pond, but do we really believe the lake can accomodate the ever continuing explosive growth in watercraft traffic? The future "high density" projects will only add more craft to an already crowded waterway. History/data from other lakes suggest that accidents will increase. The unusally large wakes are a concern (we have noticed them also), but to us, the over the top number of jet skis, and the resulting noise and hazards they create is a much bigger concern, especially for the long term. Doesn't seem too many folks water-ski anymore. At least, that's been our observation.



Name:   Handy Man - Email Member
Subject:   Boathouse damage
Date:   8/29/2006 12:11:48 AM

You're right that not many water ski anymore. My cousin did tell me about one incident when a jetskiier went to the water patrol whining that cousin kept casting his lure toward the jetskiier..... water patrol told him that if cousin caught him with a lure that he was too close.
I guess I have my own jealousies, prejudices, and greed about the lake. The houses and developments have exploded in the last 10 years. Many of the campground have sold out for big bucks instead of the meager income that campgrounds provides. Small marina's went out of business when the e.p.a. made them replace their gas tanks and put in the vapor systems which put a heck of alot of mom and pop service stations out of business. For the most part "it's all about money". I don't know that anyone could get the water patrol or courts to cooperate with them but it might be worth a try to keep a camcorder nearby if you are being seriously bothered by boaters or jetskiiers... as for the noise, it's not the jet ski's that bother me.... it's that joker in the great big cigar boat that I can hear for 10 minutes before he passes my place. It usually sounds like a helicopter and he is a mile away from me if he is on the other side of the lake... and he is still loud... of course, acoustics on the lake are strange as I can sometimes hear every word people are saying on the other side of the lake when conditions and echoes are just right.... and in the winter I can hear voices and noises even from much further away.
By the way... I mentioned vegetation growing when the water is down... Today I noticed that I need to cut the grass in my slough.....







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