LWPOA 2021-2022 Summaries

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LWPOA  Barry Morris

Alabama Power filed the license application in November 2021 and, so far, no challenges have arisen. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has until November 2023 to ask for more information and analysis, review the entire package, and grant the renewed license.  The application or license itself can be challenged at any time, including after the new license is granted.  The Alabama Power Company has worked very hard to address all concerns that could lead to a challenge as it is better in all respects to get it right the first time rather than go back and change anything.  There is no such thing as a small change as any alteration  sends a ripple through the entire entire system.  Every aspect of the damn and reservoir operation are interconnected, from lake levels, to flood control, to fish habitat and spawning, to power output, and continuous flows in the river below the dam.  

LWPOA  Barry Morris

Lake Wedowee cleanup this year was a big success! “Renew Our Rivers” is a true focus of Alabama Power and they are great partners in this endeavor, providing two barges to move trash picked up along the lake shores back to the dumpsters at the 48 ramp. 

Many thanks to the volunteers who came to contribute their time to the hard work!  We had 88 people turn out over the course of three days.  three dumpsters were filled which totaled four tons of trash (8,020 lbs). That amounts to about 91 lbs of trash per person!  Many thanks to ALA-GA Rolloff  (Andy Etheridge) for providing these necessary dumpsters.  

Delicious breakfasts were provided by Heather and HB Enger, Claudette and Doug Brown, and Lee and Nancy Olson.  Fantastic lunches were provided by Chick-fil-A in Carrollton (David Daniel),  Smokin’Pig Barbeque (Telisha and Donnie Gibson) and Hunter Bend Realty (Crystal Barnes-Key and Rhett Kirby). Thanks to Rice Pavilion for giving us a beautiful place to eat our lunch! 

So many generous folks provided help by volunteering their pontoon boats: Melanie and John Beaty, Vicki and Alan Craig, Heather and HB Enger, Brad Mitchell, Mike Tranum, and Wedowee Marine South (Eric Morris) provided two boats.  

Other sponsors for this event include Crouch Realty, Terry Norton Realty, Re-Max Lakefront Realty, Lake Wedowee Body Shop, and Wedowee Bait and Tackle, along with two members, John Phillips and Mike Howzen.  

We could not have made this event such a success without all these wonderful participants, and we owe a big thanks to our local County Commissioners who help us make this all possible.

LWPOA  Laura Krug  

Kids Fishing Day came back to Lake Wedowee on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.  After a two year interruption because of COVID, children through age sixteen were invited to try their luck at reeling in farm-raised catfish at the Rice Pavilion.  The kids registered upon arrival, and received tickets for prizes that were awarded throughout the afternoon.

The event is open to LWPOA members' and non-members' children alike.  KFD has great community support with dozens of businesses as sponsors.  A hot dog meal was provided by the LWPOA and cooked by Randolph Sheriff David Cofield and other volunteers.  

Platinum Sponsors

Rice Pavilion on Lake Wedowee, State Farm (Ken Seiffert, Agent), Bobber's Bar and Grill

Gold Sponsors

Buster Miles Chevrolet, Connally, Jordon and Assoc. PC, Beautiful  Smiles-Dr. Edwards, First Bank of Alabama, H & M Drugs, Southern Realty and Auction Co, Lake Wedowee Winery, Lakeview Auto Service, Inc., Nortons Flooring, Perryland Grocery, Whispering Pines Farm

Silver Sponsors

Alabama Power, Benefield Funeral Home, First Light Coffee, Best Brands Plus Randolph Co Appliance,  First State Bank, Boondocks BBQ & Creamery, Crouch Team Realty, Split Ends, KBW Accounting, Mike Browning,  Re/Max-Lakefront, Old Waters Inn @ Wedowee, Re/Max Results, Southern States Bank, Speed-N-Sport Marine,  Superior Pest Control, Wedowee Building Supply, Wedowee Landscape

LWPOA  Frank Varisco

The heart of our water monitoring is the network of volunteers who test the water around the lake monthly.  Thank you to the water testers:  Frank Varisco, Jackie and Buddy Blue, Barry Morris, Tom Lettieri, Tommy Cain, Tommy Bell,  Susan Urquhart, Kim Elmore, Bob Krug, Kevin and Edie Sutton, Phil and Susan Cantrell, Debbie Young, Terry Mattocks, and Pat High.  The volunteers are trained by Alabama Water Watch/Auburn University.  Interested in becoming a volunteer water tester please contact Frank Varisco. 

LWPOA  Tommy Bell

The Water Safety Committee of LWPOA partners with the Alabama Marine Police to replace and maintain the hazard buoys on the lake.  In 2021 we replaced 10 missing or damaged buoys and will place 10 more in the fall of 2022.  The buoys mark areas that are too shallow to safely operate a boat at summer or winter water levels. Several of the hazard buoys in strategic locations are lighted to assist navigating the lake at night for fishermen and pleasure boaters.  LWPOA can only mark select hazards as approved by the Alabama Marine Police. We have no authority to place “No Wake” or other restrictive buoys. The buoys and accessories are purchased by the LWPOA and made possible by the annual dues paid by our membership. 

The Association is very grateful to our local Alabama Marine Police officers who work tirelessly to protect us on the lake. You may never meet them, but they will be there for our lake community when we need them. 

***The Marine Police are not funded by tax dollars but are almost entirely funded by your  Alabama Boat Registration fees.