As you may know, our lake is being relicensed by the federal government for another 40 years of public service. The draft Environmental Impact Statement was recently released and it calls for water levels to stay the same as they are now, winter and summer. (LWPOA asked for a higher winter level but was denied.) The draft EIS also calls for continuous minimum flows through the dam at rates higher than Alabama Power recommended. While these flows should not cause lake levels to drop at any time of year, it is important that LWPOA members let the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission know that you won’t stand for any flow rates that will cause lower lake levels.
The LWPOA is going on record informing FERC that we do not object to minimum flows as long they don’t affect lake levels, and that we want further assurances from FERC that our lake levels are protected. But many voices are even better than an organizational voice representing hundreds of families.
You can make a comment on FERC’s Quick Comment website: https://ferconline.ferc.gov/quickcomment.aspx . After you fill in the comment request, FERC will email you a link to the comment site. Be sure that you comment on Lake R.L. Harris (not Lake Wedowee), project number P-2628. Comments must be submitted before Jan. 20, 2025.
While the LWPOA board is confident that your water levels will be protected, it never hurts to let the decision makers know a lot of folks care deeply about the issue.
