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Name:	waterph -	Reply
Subject:	Water Level
Date:	8/25/2007 5:43:36 PM

I'm having a real problem understanding the rationale of Alabama Power's corporate leadership and this corporations apparent display of arrogance and greed. Why? There is a simple engineering fix to the major issue on Smith Lake (water level) and it is called cooling towers at one of the four fossil fired plants. Installation of cooling towers at the Gorgas Steam plant would alleviate 95% of the water level issues on this lake. Follow the shorelines on this beautiful body of water at this time and it will make you sick at your stomach.

Don't try to convince me that this lake is being managed in a responsible manner. I understand that the lake initially was for electricity via hydro. That's what dams are designed to do. This leads me to believe that property owners on Smith Lake are not important to this giant corporation. Just listen to comments from individuals who are meeting with Alabama Power's senior management team and trying to come to a reasonable agreement so that Alabama Power's corporate financial objectives are met while also realizing reasonable water level targets. I concluded that Alabama Power's present position is "my way or the highway". Does this not sound like corporate mentality of the 30's and 40s that we read about in High School?

I believe that the original charter for Smith Lake in 1961 has been altered such that hydro generation is now a minor directive and this is now a vast body of cooled water that is dedicated for cooling efforts at the Gorgas steam plant. Should the permit process now being discussed address power generation only? NO! Other items such as recreation, environmental , safety, and aquatic life must be part of the consideration when the permit is granted.

Why is this issue continuing to linger? A fix has been identified and Alabama Power corporate personnel, if they are truthful, will admit that the massive changes in water level during July through Septemebr are planned and intended solely for cooling support downstream - not electricity demands from Hydro. Hydro is a very small part of the total equation for electricity generation.. A power plant without cooling towers cannot produce the necessary electrical output in the period July through September without some means of cooling.

Hydro power generation is no longer the main reason for Smith Lake. This body of water is now a cooling water source for Alabama Power's plant downstream of the dam. Alabama Power is dumping massive amounts of water from Smith Lake so that the efficiency of the coal fired plant can remain high and water permit standards for discharge water (90 degrees if similar to TVAs on the Tennessee River) will not be violated. Otherwise, this plant will run at lower rates and Alabama Power's budget standard for this plant will not be met. Does this mean that stock options or bonuses will be lowered? Regardless, Alabama Power will still get their annual rate increases from the Public Service Commission. They have a captive market and are guaranteed profitability.

The other coal fired plant of Alabama Power do not have a Smith Lake to depend upon. These three units have cooling towers (as does TVA's fossil fired plants). They are operating at maximum and still meeting all permit criteria. When will the property owners on Smith lake in Cullman, Walker, and Winston counties come together and demand that Alabama Power fix this issue? A beautiful lake with wonderful possibilities has become a mud hole for Alabama Power in the middle of the Summer. Look at the many boat docks, boats, and jet skis sitting on dry land in the middle of August. Don't try to tell me that this is a draught issue. Yes, we are in a draught but a drop of 2.4 feet in 13 days is not draught related. This is a deliberate and planned massive release by Alabama Power (yes, they do control water levels on Smith Lake).

I visited my property with the intent to push the dock out farther in the water. I did plan for these lower levels in 1994 and my dock is able to follw the water. Upon entering the property, I find that Alabama Power dropped the water level so fast during the last 13 days (2.4 feet) that the dock, pontoon boat, and jet skis are on dry land. Do I see evidence of boat dock damage. You bet your bippy that I did. A floating dock is designed to float on water and not sit on dry land. Luckly, I had pulled the ski boat out of the water earlier fearing that loading the boat for winter storage (in the middle of August) would be an impossibility. How true this was.

Am I angry with Alabama Power and the arrogance that it continues to exhibit toward the the property owners on Smith Lake. The answer is YES! We all are customers of Alabama Power and understand the need for electricity. I'm looking forward to the day when this corporation and its leaders will realize that managing Smith Lake and all the satellites is an honor that is granted by the people of this area. At some point in time, I'm hoping that the federal agencies granting this permit for the next 35 to 50 years will wake up and decide that Alabama Power is not meeting its total corporate responsibilities and a modification to the permit will force a broader expansion of its corporate responsibilities.

Name:	Grizzly -	Reply
Subject:	Water Level
Date:	8/25/2007 7:09:04 PM

Goin down a lot more so buckle up.

Name:	jeep03 -	Reply
Subject:	Water Level
Date:	8/25/2007 11:10:03 PM

Ditto, I couldn't have said it better. Hopefully this issue can be resolved soon so all the residents and visitors to Smith Lake can enjoy it's beauty for years to come.

Name:	Fred -	Reply
Subject:	Water Level
Date:	8/26/2007 9:25:01 AM

I think we all would like to see more consistent water levels.

What are your sources that tell you Smith Lake is not principally used for hydro-generation? I LOVE the rant, but citing your sources might motivate more people with seasonal lots, such as yourself.

I understand the push for cooling tanks, but I have year around water, like many others and do not want to pay for your lakefront access and activities. My boathouse was designed for this lake and yes the catwalk gets a little steep this time of year, but just because yours is on the beach, and you purchased your lot, why should I pay more for power, permitting, etc..?

Name:	Lakeshore7 -	Reply
Subject:	Water Level
Date:	8/26/2007 11:22:51 PM

Doesn't AP also have to let out water for downstream navigation and recreation?

They have a documented schedule of yearly water levels, and yes, levels are lower the last two years because of droughts, but otherwise the late summer releases are to be expected.

Since AP built the dam and have followed the same level schedule for the last 40 plus years, it seems like folks who buy property should know that in advance and be prepared for the yearly drops.

We also have a seasonal lot, but and we simply adjust based on the levels.

Name:	Luvsmithlake -	Reply
Subject:	Water Level
Date:	8/27/2007 4:28:52 AM

As a property owner on Smith Lake, I recently received a very informative letter from Alabama Power concerning lake levels on APCO lakes. There are a lot of considerations involved here in addition to one of the most extreme droughts ever seen in this area. If you did not receive this letter, you might contact APCO and request a copy. (I didn't save mine after reading it.)
Obviously no one likes to see the lake level so low. This is one of the reasons that I always advise friends or acquaintences looking for property on Smith Lake to check out the water depth very carefully with a depth finder BEFORE purchasing a lot as the lake can and will drop as low as 492' , which is 18' below full pool of 510' above sea level.
Sorry to hear that your dock has beached. This has been an incredibly dry year, however.

Name:	Bill -	Reply
Subject:	Water Level
Date:	8/27/2007 10:40:58 AM

Fred said:

> I have year around water, like many others and do not want to pay for your lakefront access and activities.

> why should I pay more for power, permitting, etc..?

Word up. :)

Name:	Bill -	Reply
Subject:	Water Level
Date:	8/27/2007 12:17:46 PM

Keep in mind that there are two sides to every story. Not saying who is right or wrong. I have dealt with David Rice and am currently dealing with him right now. I have no issues with the man and would deal with him again. That is all.

Name:	OnClearCreek -	Reply
Subject:	Water Level
Date:	8/27/2007 3:32:09 PM

I find this comical...Deep water, seasonal...That's a bunch of hog-wash. It's almost like folks think they are in some kind of elite club or something and don't want automatic birth of folks that didn't pay...That's silly. All our lots are seasonal, some are more than others. Let them bring the water down enough, and everyone will be singing the same tune.

I saw a guy out last weekend that likely says he has "deep water", you want to know what he was doing? He had a jack-hammer a hold of the rocks beneath his walkway because they were about to be applying stress to his midway point.

The growth that is complained about on this and other threads is doing about as much good as "trying to solve and algebra equation by chewing bubble gum."

I say let nature take its course, becuase it, will no matter how much we complain.

Name:	waterph -	Reply
Subject:	Water Level
Date:	8/27/2007 4:06:51 PM

Hey Everyone

I appreciate the different opinions and comments. Just for clarification.

1. I am not what was described in one of the forum letters "a seasonal resident looking for access to the water".
2. I pay my annual property taxes and have year round utilities and have been doing this since 1994. Therefore, I consider myself a resident of Winston County.
3. I have a lake residence that is fully self contained and if necessary, I could relocate there and live full time with all the conveniences that I have in my other residence. At this time, I and my children and grandchildren use this property extensively from April through September. We do not shut down from September to April. We do purchase fuel and groceries in Winston County during the summer season.
4. I do travel weekly back and forth to my lake propert to insure that it is propery maintained.
5.. I have homeowners insurance on my property as do many other property owners; I mow my yard; I plant flowers and shubrey to make my place look nice.
6. I have water access year round and greater than 100 feet of beach access. I just do not like for my water front access to fluctuate 16 feet in a 2 month period when there is not a justifiable cause. As mentioned earlier, I did make plans when I built my residence for water changes and therefore my boat dock followed the water. Prior to the last two years, my family was able to count Labor Day as the last holiday of the year. Not any more!!!
8. I do not expect anything from my government, county, or public utility that is unreasonable. I am willing to pay my fair share.

For those who do not have to move their dock and follow the water, this is great. I hope that no family member is ever badly hurt or maybe even killed while going down a steep walkway to the dock just because Alabama Power is moving water level by 16 feet. I have seen some walkways that I consider to be dangerous because of the slope with the lower water level. I would not allow my graandchildren to walk on some I've seen. If a tragedy of this type did happen, will you change your mind as to the importaance of higher water level. No child or grandchild should be put in harms' way when a fix is possible.

It is public knowledge that the Gorgas Plant does not have cooling towers and the other coal fired plant do. It is also public knowledge that TVA installed cooling towers at their nuclear and fossil fired facilities. Why? They do not have a Smith Lake as back up. Alabama Power has issued press releases recently in the Birmingham papers that stated that electricity from their hydro facilities is a small part of their total capacity.

Name:	Ivan -	Reply
Subject:	Water Level
Date:	8/29/2007 9:35:25 AM

NO JUSTIFIABLE CAUSE?
HOW ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING ONE OF THE WORST DROUGHTS IN OVER A 100 YEARS?
SUCK IT UP, SELL YOUR SEASONAL WATER LAKE HOME, AND "PONY-UP" TO THE BAR AND BUY YOURSELF A REAL LAKE HOME!

Name:	Fred -	Reply
Subject:	Water Level
Date:	8/29/2007 9:53:11 AM

Who is David Rice?

Name:	waterph -	Reply
Subject:	Water Level
Date:	8/29/2007 10:16:34 AM

I love these types of replies. It will be interesting to see water levels in a year where there is not a draught. Go back to 2005 and compare with 2006 and 2007. Was the draught in 2006 even close to 2007? Since you have a real lake house, I believe that I could sell you some oceanfront property in Montana and then you could have a beach house where you could slip up to the bar.

Name:	Bill -	Reply
Subject:	Water Level
Date:	8/29/2007 12:44:45 PM

Sorry Fred. I meant to post that reply in the thread below this where someone was saying to not buy a dock from Rice Boat Docks... that's all

Name:	2toys -	Reply
Subject:	Water Level
Date:	8/29/2007 1:40:59 PM

Actually, we have been "seeing water levels in years without a drought "since the 60's. I don't really understand your post. Some have seasonal water and some have year round water and the lot prices reflect that. Sure, if they drained the lake we would all be out of luck!

Name:	Handy Man -	Reply
Subject:	Water Level
Date:	8/29/2007 10:25:01 PM

Waterph. I wish you the best of luck with your cause and I'm behind you 100% and I'd be willing to pay an extra dollar or two every month to get them cooling towers. However, would every APCO customer in Alabama be willing to pay those couple of dollars so you could have more reasonable water levels?
I'm now 55, By the time those cooling towers could be built and in operation I'd probably be about 70 years old and have more important things to worry about. God bless and good luck! I've got alot of living to do pretty quick and ain't got time to worry about it.....

Name:	Bill -	Reply
Subject:	Water Level
Date:	8/30/2007 9:29:49 AM

The man has a point. Life is short. Before anyone says it... I don't have any kids so I'm not too concerned about their non-future... only mine. :)

Name:	Handy Man -	Reply
Subject:	Water Level
Date:	8/30/2007 1:05:19 PM

Yep Bill. That's just the facts. For those of us staring at our senior years it's a non-issue. For my children who are around 30 it's possible to receive the benefits of taking up the fight so that they and their children can reap the benefits. They are the ones in the generation which can mold th future of the lake and in a few years will have the power and influence to make it happen. The idea has been planted and it will take many years to grow a solution. A decision will have to be made whether the function of this lake is more important as an operational element of the dam and it's uses or whether it should function to appease the desires of the landowners and recreational users of the lake. Myself, it would be nice to have APCO on my side and not as my enemy but I don't think I'm big enough to step on their toes or even to get their attention in even a small way regardless of the fact that I knew one or two of the past presidents of APCO and this lake is right in the back door of many of the most politically connected people in the state of Alabama.

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