by:  Bill Butler, President Lake Watch
 Appeared in July 2025 issue of Lake Magazine

Hello, readers. This is my first LAKE magazine article since becoming president of Lake Watch of Lake Martin. A lot of friends have been asking questions about the organization, so I thought it might be helpful to start out with some general information about us.

Lake Watch of Lake Martin is an all-volunteer nonprofit citizen group created in 1992 by a lake resident named Dick Bronson and several others who shared his concern over serious threats to the water quality of the lake. The biggest concern at that time was the discharge of poorly treated industrial waste and municipal sewage from an Alexander City wastewater treatment plant into Sugar Creek, which then flowed through Elkahatchee Creek into Lake Martin. Lake Watch’s efforts eventually led to a significant upgrade of the treatment plant, including the installation of a new discharge line that bypassed Sugar Creek altogether and discharged through a diffuser placed at the bottom of the lake, a little south of the Highway 280 bridge. Since that beginning, Lake Watch monitors have played key roles in identifying many pollution issues in the lake and communities around it and having those issues corrected.

In 1992, Lake Watch became the first group of citizens to be trained and certified in water-quality monitoring by Alabama Water Watch.

AWW is a citizen volunteer water quality monitoring program covering all the major river basins in the state. It trains people as water monitors and manages the database of all the samples collected. AWW has now established a network of many monitoring groups throughout the state, and Lake Watch of Lake Martin is recognized as one of the premier ones.

The Lake Watch mission is to preserve and improve the water quality of Lake Martin and the surrounding Tallapoosa River watershed. We try to accomplish this mission by focusing on three primary activities:

1. Water monitoring: We presently have about 35 certified monitors who regularly sample about 60 sites. Our monitors take water samples, usually on a monthly basis, and perform chemistry and bacteriological tests, looking for water quality problems. We check such things as the dissolved oxygen level, pH, alkalinity, hardness and turbidity. We also check for E. coli bacteria, the presence of which indicates that fecal matter is present in the water, which can be very dangerous to humans.

Since its creation, Lake Watch has submitted over 5,000 sampling data records to the Alabama Water Watch database. In addition to the obvious benefit of identifying acute water quality problems, all of these records are very valuable in establishing a baseline and providing documentation of long-term water quality trends all over the lake, so if a problem occurs, we will have scientifically reliable evidence to prove that something has changed and that it hasn’t just “always been that way.” The data we collect is available to the public on our website, as is data from our Swim Alert program, which provides our monthly monitoring results for E. coli bacteria at selected popular swimming sites on the lake.

2. Environmental Education: The second area we focus on is seeking to increase public awareness of water quality and watershed stewardship through environmental education activities. Lake Watch has been active in environmental education of students for many years. Lake Watch believes that environmental education of our youth is the best way to ensure that the good works of Lake Watch and other similar groups continue into the next generation.

3. Advocacy: The third area is advocating for clean water in the Tallapoosa Watershed. We work with governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations. We correspond and meet regarding issues of concern with federal and state agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which is the agency that controls the operations of the Lake Martin Dam. We regularly file comments and participate in these agencies’ rule-making actions. Lake Watch was very active in the last re-licensing of Martin Dam by FERC, and we are currently participating in the re-licensing of Harris Dam because the quantity and quality of water being released from that dam will obviously have a direct impact on Lake Martin.

One of Lake Watch’s most significant achievements in protection and advocacy came in December 2010 when Governor Bob Riley signed an executive order establishing the special designation of Treasured Alabama Lake for lakes possessing exceptional ecological and recreational value. The TAL category has the highest water quality standards available under ADEM criteria. Existing water quality must be maintained and protected, and new pollution sources are generally prohibited.

In 2011, Lake Martin was designated as the first, and as of now, only Treasured Alabama Lake. This designation will help ensure the protection and preservation of the lake’s high water quality now and for generations to come.

We would love for you to join us, whether you want to be an active monitor or just support those who do. Our website lakewatch.org has links for joining, donating to help fund our monitoring efforts, reporting pollution issues and lots of other good information.

Bill Butler is president of Lake Watch, long-time Lake Martin resident and retired attorney.

The Newsletter of Lake Watch of Lake Martin

Editor:  Eric Reutebuch

Letter from the President - Bill Butler

Greetings, Lake Watchers. I am very pleased to be writing what is my first letter to our membership. Thanks to all the board members who contributed to this newsletter. Mostly, thanks to Eric Reutebuch for making it happen. He and I were discussing publishing a newsletter, and I realized I did not know how to begin. Eric immediately stepped up, performed his wizardry and here we are.

As set out in more detail below, a slate of officers and directors was elected, a few new faces and many re-upping, at the annual meeting in February. We held a very productive board meeting in March, where we established a lot of goals and objectives for the year. One of the goals is to increase the frequency of contacts with all of our members. This newsletter is part of that effort.  We also plan to increase the amount of informational emails to our members, and to have a more active Facebook presence.

Another goal is to better publicize our board meetings to encourage attendance by any of our members who are interested.
 
Yet another goal is to have one or more general meetings during the year, as an opportunity for members to get to know each other better and perhaps to have a speaker on a topic of interest. Our water monitors continue to diligently test sites throughout the lake and the streams flowing into it. I believe this testing is Lake Watch’s most important activity. We play a crucial role in identifying otherwise unknown sources of pollution and in establishing a historical baseline of data that enables agencies such as the Alabama Department of Environment Management to track any positive or negative changes to Lake Martin’s water quality. We have a good group of trained monitors covering a lot of sites, but we can always use more volunteers.

We have some ambitious goals, but to achieve them we need participation from as many of our members as possible. Please be thinking about ways that we can improve Lake Watch. Please share any ideas you have for meeting locations, speakers and topics. There is information further on in this newsletter about our committees. We would really like to have more non-board members on them, so please consider volunteering in an area that interests you. The best way to communicate is by sending an email to info@lakewatch.org.

Thanks to all for your participation in and support of Lake Watch of Lake Martin. I am looking forward to working with you as we strive to protect and improve our Treasured Lake.

Achievements:

• 61 sites monitored regularly for water
 chemistry and bacteria in Lake Martin and
 its watershed

• Added 7 new lake sites to assess bacterial
 contamination

• Submitting 2025 data records from 61 sites
 to the AWW statewide water quality
 database

• Recruited 7 new water monitors

• Presented our Lake Watch story to
 the Alexander City Lion’s Club

• Educated students at the Tallapoosa
 County Water Festival

Lake Watch Officers*:

Bill Butler…President
 Craig Holloway….Vice-president
 Cheryl Losik…...Secretary
 Dave Maddox…….Treasurer

LW Board of Directors:

(*Officers also serve on board)
 Dianna Porter
 Eric Reutebuch
 Chuck Jeroloman
 Harry Denegre
 Joe & Marci Logan
 Kim Holloway
 Kathryn Braund
 Matt Campbell
 (Past President)

Elections

The Lake Watch board met on January 30, 2025 to discuss our plans for this year. We had a good meeting to discuss our goals and objectives to strengthen Lake Watch and to continue the protection of our Treasured Lake.

The Lake Watch board received the nomination of Bill Butler  for our new president! Bill has monitored for several years, served on the board and served as Lake Watch vice-president for the past three years.  THANK YOU Bill for stepping up!

The Lake Watch board also received the nomination of Craig Holloway for vice-president. Craig has monitored for several years and served on the board. THANK YOU Craig for stepping up!

We also were pleased to have Kathryn Braund, former Lake Watch President and retired AU professor, nominated to our board. THANK YOU Kathryn!

All three were voted in by the members at the annual meeting. And THANK YOU to all of our officers and board members that re-upped for another term: Dianna Porter, Cheryl Losik, Eric Reutebuch, Chuck Jeroloman, Harry Denegre, Joe Logan, Marci Logan, and Kim Holloway, and Matt Campbell (past president), for your efforts, ideas and actions in advancing our Lake Watch goals!

Committees – Cheryl Losik

To fulfill the goals of Lake Watch of Lake Martin, we have committees, each having their own purpose and goals within the group. Our committees are as follows:
 

• ·         Membership
• ·         Finance
• ·         Monitoring
• ·         Education Outreach
• ·         Information Technology
• ·         Graphite Plant/Clean Water Industry
• ·         Advocacy
• ·         Swim Alert

We are active participants in Lake Watch because we love this lake and this area. We want to keep it safe and clean forever. But we are always looking for people who feel the same way. If you are wanting to get more involved and have a love of Lake Martin, please consider joining us in keeping the goals of Lake Watch in sight.

We are always in need of new people with special skills to better fulfill the tasks of our various committees. Please consider helping out.  Contact our Lake Watch President, Bill Butler at info@lakewatch.org to find out how you can help.

Budget – Dave Maddox

At our January board meeting, our Treasurer, Dave Maddox, reported that the 2024 annual income was $13,371, and 2024 annual expenses were $4,678. The bank balance as of 12/31/2023 was $10,152; and $18,845 as of 12/31/2024. The current balance is higher than we have had over past years. This is due largely to the ongoing generous support of our members and also due to special memorial contributions for Dick Bronson and John Durr, who passed away last year. A big THANK YOU to all who support Lake Watch through annual dues and donations, especially our Silver, Gold and Platinum donors! We couldn’t operate without your support!

The Lake Watch board approved a budget recommendation for 2025 totaling $13,500, contingent upon sufficient 2025 income to match that budget:

$ 6,000    Monitors’ chemicals and supplies.
 $ 4,500    Business expenses, IT consultant & Wild Apricot program (website).
 $ 1,500    Officers’ attendance at conferences and continuing education events.
 $ 1,500    Youth and adult education materials and community outreach.
 $13,500    Total

The board identified the top priority item of Lake Watch paying the cost of the monitors’ chemicals and supplies. We are budgeting for a possible expense increase of as much as $3,000 annually in the form of a professional consultant to further develop and maintain our Lake Watch website and other online outreach materials. The board identified the ideal of maintaining a bank balance of $5,000. The actual 2025 expenditures will be adjusted throughout the year as necessary to match our 2025 expenses to our 2025 income to maintain a “balanced budget”.

Water Monitoring – Ann Campbell & Eric Reutebuch

As of the end of February 2025, Lake Watch had 25 bacteriological monitors at 57 sites in Lake Martin and in tributary creeks flowing into the lake; plus 10 water chemistry monitors at 13 sites throughout the lake, a total of 61 sites (6 sites are monitored for both bacteria and water chemistry.
 Our 61 active Lake Watch monitoring sites are mapped below (sites=green markers), from Little Hillabee Creek (in the lake’s headwaters above Hackneyville) down to the Martin Dam. I am happy to report that our volunteer water monitors’ data, for the most part, showed excellent water quality throughout the lake. There were however several sites that had violations of ADEM water quality standards. The violations were all due to fecal contamination measured as elevated E. coli levels in the water, exceeding the State standard of 235 E. coli per 100 mL of water (or 3 ½ ounces, about half a cup of water). As we have observed in the past, fecal contamination occurs in the streams and the Tallapoosa River above the lake, particularly after significant rain events. High E. coli levels have been measured in the following in the past few months: Creeks: Emuckfaw Timbergut, Little Hillabee, Hillabee Tallapoosa River at: Horseshoe Bend, Jaybird Landing, Andrew Jackson.

We are continuing our work to not only identify areas in the lake and its watershed that are contaminated with fecal matter (E. coli), but also working to identify where the contamination is coming from and get the perpetrators to clean up their act.

At an Alabama Water Watch training event for chemistry and bacteriological water monitoring, seven new Lake Watch monitors were trained and certified and several active monitors were re-certified on May 16, 2025 at Mary Olive Thomas Demonstration Forrest near Auburn (the AWW Quality Assurance Plan requires monitors to be re-certified at one year after being trained, then every two years).  Specifically, five new monitors were certified in chemistry and bacteriological monitoring and two in only bacteriological monitoring. THANK YOU Ann Campbell for coordinating our Lake Watch training! And THANK YOU Alabama Water Watch for conducting the workshop, and all of your support for Lake Watch!

      

The newly trained monitors will be testing bacteria at the following new sites:

➢ The bay near the Magnolia Cove development in Blue Creek
 ➢ Highway 34 boat ramp area
 ➢ Pleasure Point proposed marina site
 ➢ Embayment at Sandy Creek as it enters the lake
 ➢ Sandy Creek at Smith Mountain
 ➢ Near Dare Park proposed RV facility development
 ➢ West side of the Magnolia Crest area
 ➢ Dead Timbers Cove

Monitoring at the following sites will be reestablished:

➢ Castaway Marina
 ➢ Camp ASCCA

If you are interested in receiving training to be a water monitor, please contact our Monitor Coordinator, Ann Campbell at info@lakewatch.org. The courses are not difficult, and water sampling is a very worthwhile and rewarding activity, providing us with essential data to determine if our water is getting better or worse through time. Lastly - a big THANK YOU to all of our Lake Watch volunteer monitors!

Swim Alert – Eric Reutebuch

Lake Watch initiated the Swim Alert program in 2022 after detecting high levels of E. coli in the upper lake in the fall of 2021. Bacteriological monitoring is conducted monthly during the warm months (April-October) at sites throughout the lake and on several creeks popular for swimming and other water-recreation activities. As of this spring, we are sampling for bacteria (E. coli) at the sites identified below on the map. Check out the Swim Alert website regularly to avoid contacting contaminated waters (www.lakewatch.org/swim-alert).

 

Annual Meeting – Cheryl Losik

The Lake Watch annual meeting was held on Sunday, February 23, 2025, 1:30 - 4:00 PM at New Water Farms, 460 Civitan Road, Dadeville, AL. We were pleased to have guest speakers Cindy Lowry, Director of Alabama Rivers Alliance and Harold Banks, Tallapoosa River area naturalist and historian.

Cindy Lowry spoke on Alabama water sustainability and conditions, and how to keep this resource safe (pictured below on left). Lake Watch has presented ARA with a $300 check to support ARA’s water protection efforts. To learn more about all of the work that ARA does to protect Alabama’s
 waters go to https://alabamarivers.org .

Harold Banks presented an illustrated program on his canoe trip from the headwaters of the Tallapoosa River to the Gulf of Mexico. Harold and out-going Lake Watch president Matt Campbell presented a program based on Harold’s book, with Harold describing the trip and Matt presenting readings from Harold’s recently released book, By Paddle and Pack: Headwaters of the Tallapoosa to the Gulf of Mexico, 658 Miles by Solo Canoe.
 
Later, Matt presented Harold with the Woodfin Martin Award for Harold’s “exemplary contributions to public recreation on the Tallapoosa River and his advocacy for the health the Tallapoosa River Watershed and Lake Martin” (pictured below, center). Harold donated the proceeds from the sale of book at the meeting to Lake Watch, THANK YOU Harold

Incoming President Bill Butler presented a framed map of the lake to Matt and Ann Campbell for their many years of active and dedicated service to our organization and community (pictured above, right). Matt just completed a three year term as president and Ann continues to serve as our Volunteer Water Monitor Coordinator.

            

Lake Watch Environmental Education/Outreach

Water Festival

Lake Watchers Dianna Porter, Judy Palfrey and Cheryl
 Losik educated youth on the importance of water and
 protection of our water resources at the Tallapoosa
 Water Festival organized by 4H at Wind Creek State
 Park. They presented the ‘Water Cycle’ to more than
 125 4th grade students.

Lion’s Club

Bill Butler and Eric Reutebuch spoke to the Alexander City Lion’s Club in April. Their presentation was entitled: “Lake Watch of Lake Martin - Who We Are and What We Do”. Bill
 gave a general overview of the history and functions of the organization, and Eric discussed our monitoring activities, with a focus on the Swim Alert program. The presentation was well
 received and generated a lot of interest and questions. Thanks to member Ed Eiswerth for arranging this opportunity to publicize Lake Watch.

Collaboration Efforts

AWW - Lake Watch endorsed the AWW grant proposal, Co-designing Resiliency: From Monitoring to Making Change with Citizen Science Water Data to the to the National
 Academies of Science, Engineering, Medicine Gulf Research Program and NOAA Environmental Literacy Program, submitted in May.

AWW - Lake Watch is benefiting from a generous grant that AWW received from the F Allen & Louise S Turner Foundation which provides funding for our water testing supplies.

SELC - Lake Watch signed on in support of comments submitted by the Southern Environmental Law Center, Recommendations on Implementation of the Definition of “Waters of the United States” to strengthen protections of the streams and rivers throughout the country.

News: Fish Consumption Advisories – Alabama Dept of Public Health

The 2025 list of contaminated water published annually by the Alabama Department of Public Health includes two embayments of Lake Martin listed for mercury contamination (map below). PCBs and other harmful chemicals are found in other surface waters throughout the state. Be advised that eating fish from the lakes, rivers, creeks and bays listed is not recommended. The two areas in Lake Martin that are contaminated with mercury are:

• 1.      Elkahatchee Creek Embayment (approx.. 0.5 miles downstream of Elkahatchee/Sugar Creek confluence): Largemouth Bass listed as "Do Not Eat Any" due to mercury contamination (page 27 of ADPH Advisory), and,
   
  
  
• 2.      Sugar Creek Embayment (empties into Elkahatchee Creek Embayment): - Largemouth Bass listed as "Do Not Eat Any" due to mercury contamination, and, - Channel Catfish listed as "Eat only 2 meals per month' due to mercury contamination (page 28 of ADPH Advisory)

Fish advisory waters, Elkahatchee Embayment and Sugar Creek Embayment, shown in red, just above Wind Creek State Park (source: https://adem.alabama.gov/e-maps-portal ).

For all fish consumption advisory listings throughout the state, see https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/tox/assets/2025_fishadvisory.pdf.

The source of the mercury contamination is listed as ‘atmospheric deposition’ in ADEM’s most recent list of impaired waters, the 2024 Alabama §303(d) List (https://adem.alabama.gov/water/water-quality/303d-information-and-map, page 14).

Closing Thoughts

YOU are what makes Lake Watch of Lake Martin work! We urge each of our Lake Watch members to spread the word about Lake Watch, to support our programs and to participate – give your neighbor a Lake Watch brochure and a pep talk. Help sign up new members to our team! Consider becoming a monitor or a trainer. Volunteer to serve on one of our committees. Consider an additional donation to Lake Watch! Not everyone can get out and monitor water, or teach in a classroom, or give a presentation, but each member is
 essential to our success. We welcome your suggestions/ideas on how to better protect our lake from emerging threats.

Together, we can make a difference in the protection of our lake, in water conservation and clean water advocacy, and in the world we leave for our children. If every Lake Watch member encourages one or two friends to join in our efforts, it will go a long way toward ensuring the continuation of the good work we've accomplished over the past 30 years. Go visit your neighbor and convince him or her to sign up. Signing up is easy, just go to our website, www.lakewatch.org/new-or-renew and click the menu item ‘Get Involved’, you’ll be glad you did!

 

Dues Reminder

Take the plunge, if you haven’t already!

 Protect Lake Martin by supporting Lake Watch!

 And ask a neighbor to do the same!

Lake Watch Wants You!

To renew your membership or to join, you can pay online (preferred) or send your check to: P. O. Box 425, Dadeville, AL 36853

Membership levels are listed below:
 Regular dues (annual):
 Student $15
 Individual $20
 Family $30

Lake Martin Steward:
 Silver $50
 Gold $100
 Platinum $250

We also welcome donations of any amount. Don't forget – a donation in someone's honor/ memory is a lovely tribute.  You can also do that on the online donation page of our site.

 

 

by:  Matt Campbell, Past President & Director Lake Watch
 Appeared in April 2025 issue of Lake Magazine

LAKE WATCH CELEBRATES THE CLEAN WATER OF OUR TREASURED LAKE MARTIN AND WORKS TO PROTECT IT!

Lake Watch has a new president.

At the Lake Watch of Lake Martin annual meeting in February, the gavel passed to Bill Butler to begin a three year term as president of Lake Watch. Past president, Matt Campbell, will continue as a director.

Citizen support is growing for conservation measures throughout the Sandy Creek area to protect single-family shoreline neighborhoods and “Natural Undeveloped” lands.

Lake area citizens recognize that ever expanding, unrestricted commercial development and high density residential development will not be good long term planning for Lake Martin. The great majority of Lake Martin shoreline property is County land where no restrictions apply. So, “anything goes”!

It is hard to imagine how restriction of development could occur on a lake wide basis. One neighborhood group, Homeowners Association of Lake Martin, Sandy Creek Area, Inc. (HOA Lake Martin) has been active in advocating for a local, neighborhood approach. They advocate for single-family residential zoning and a special “Conservation Area” throughout the Sandy Creek/Smith Mountain area of Lake Martin.

The proposition is that local government and Alabama Power Company (APC) should restrict issuance of permits associated with commercial development, multi-family, condominium and other high density residential development in those traditional single-family residential shoreline neighborhood areas on Lake Martin which identify themselves as wanting to restrict development in their neighborhood. They urge special protection for areas near APC “Natural Undeveloped” lands. They submit that this shoreline management policy will, “accomplish a measure of development restraint as part of a comprehensive and ‘balanced’ development plan for all of Lake Martin.”

They urge that this approach would be particularly appropriate for the Sandy Creek/Smith Mountain area of the lake. This advocacy also applies to other neighborhoods on the lake, such as the Manoy Creek area, where the single-family residential shoreline neighbors identify themselves as wanting to restrict commercial and high density development in their neighborhood.

Lake Watch of Lake Martin and Lake Martin HOBOs have declared their support for this mission. We are advocating that the Tallapoosa County Commission and the City of Dadeville and Alabama Power Company and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) develop single-family residential zoning and land use regulations and Shoreline Management Plan guidelines to preserve our traditional single-family shoreline neighborhoods and add protection to APC “Natural Undeveloped” areas on Lake Martin, specifically including recognition of a special “Conservation Area” throughout the Sandy Creek/Smith Mountain area.

We are urging lake area citizens to support this mission. To make your support known, you should send a statement of support, with your name and email address to HOA Lake Martin, P.O. Box 425, Dadeville, AL 36853, or by email to info@lakewatch.org , or hoalakemartin@gmail.com, or info@lakemartinhobos.com.

Your support of this mission as stated above does not create any obligation for “dues” nor “assessments” nor “membership” in any organization.

Drinking water concerns in the Lake Martin area are looking for answers.     

Many residents in the Lake Martin area, particularly customers of drinking water processed at Alexander City’s Adams Water Treatment Plant, are concerned about an offensive taste and smell to their water. It has been suggested that this is caused by algae. Officials at Adams Water Treatment Plant have identified chemical and mechanical changes that might be made at the plant.

Lake Watch and Lake Martin Home Owners and Boat Owners (HOBOs) are both determined to explore the facts and help get to the bottom of this problem. Is the culprit an algae or something else? Does this problem exist in the Lake Martin water source, or is the algae accumulated in the distribution lines? Is this merely a matter of bad taste, or is it an unhealthy condition? What are the scientific, biochemical and engineering responses that may solve this problem?

Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) is identified as being responsible for, “State Secondary Drinking Water Regulation. A regulation which: a. Applies to a public water system; b. Specifies maximum contaminant levels necessary to protect the public comfort or well‑being controlling contaminants which: 1. Adversely affect odor or appearance of water, thereby causing substantial numbers of persons to discontinue its use; or 2. Otherwise adversely affect the public comfort or well‑being; and c. May vary according to geographic and other circumstances.

Lake Watch and HOBOs want this situation to be addresses by ADEM, and by Alexander City, and perhaps by Auburn University so that correct solutions can be found. 

Thank you for supporting the work of Lake Watch of Lake Martin. Above all, get out on the waters of Lake Martin or the Tallapoosa River. It will make your heart happy!

Matt Campbell, Past President and Director
Lake Watch of Lake Martin, Inc.

info@lakewatch.org

by:  Matt Campbell, President  Lake Watch
 Appeared in January 2025 issue of Lake Magazine

Lake Watch Water Quality Monitoring for Summer and Fall 2024

Lake Watch confirms excellent water quality across Lake Martin, supporting its designation as a “Treasured Alabama Lake.” Recent bacteriological testing results are posted on the Lake Watch Swim Alert web page at Lakewatch.org/swim-alert and the Alabama Water Watch statewide database at aaes.auburn.edu/alabamawaterwatch. A heartfelt thank you to Lake Watch members and volunteer monitors for their vital work for clean water in Lake Martin and the Tallapoosa watershed.

 

ADEM Publishes TMDLs for Tallapoosa River Watershed

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management has published Total Maximum Daily Loads for the upper Tallapoosa River, Emuckfaw Creek and High Pine Creek, tributaries to Lake Martin. These streams are identified as impaired by pathogens, specifically E. coli. The TMDLs recommend a reduction in E. coli loading by 59 percent to 96 percent to meet water quality standards. Implementation of these reductions will rely on best management practices, which will be largely voluntary. Public participation is essential for success. Local citizens and officials are encouraged to get involved and offer suggestions to improve BMPs by contacting ADEM’s Nonpoint Source Unit or the Water Division. More details on the TMDLs can be found on ADEM’s website at adem.alabama.gov.

 

Lake Watch Supports Preservation of Traditional Shoreline Neighborhoods

Last year, Alabama Power filed its proposed update to the Shoreline Management Plan for Lake Martin with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Many local residents, including the Homeowners Association of Lake Martin, Sandy Creek Area, Inc., have advocated for guidelines within the SMP to preserve traditional single-family shoreline neighborhoods. HOA Lake Martin is particularly concerned about unrestricted commercial and high-density residential development, which they believe would detract from the long-term planning for Lake Martin. They urge Alabama Power and FERC to restrict shoreline and lake bottom improvements related to commercial development and multi-family projects in these neighborhoods. Special protection is also requested for areas near Alabama Power’s land designated as “Natural Undeveloped.” HOA Lake Martin’s stance aligns with FERC’s priorities to protect and enhance the scenic, recreational and other environmental values of Lake Martin. Lake Watch supports these efforts to maintain a balanced approach to development and preserve the area’s traditional character.

 

Relicensing of Harris Dam

at Lake Wedowee Nears Completion

The relicensing process for Harris Dam at Lake Wedowee is nearing completion, with the Environmental Impact Study now filed. One key component of the relicensing is the installation of a continuous flow generating unit at the dam. This new unit will ensure a steady release of water into the Tallapoosa River, replacing a very large volume of the current pulsing discharge with a more stable flow. This improvement is expected to benefit water quality, reduce fluctuations in temperature and dissolved oxygen levels, and decrease erosion and siltation downstream. The stable flow also will support aquatic habitats and enhance recreational opportunities, including canoeing and fishing, along the river from Horseshoe Bend to Jaybird Landing, above Lake Martin. These efforts reflect collaboration between Alabama Power, FERC, the Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources and the Alabama Rivers Alliance, with citizen stakeholders actively engaged in the process.

Lake Watch commends these initiatives that contribute to the health and sustainability of the Tallapoosa River and Lake Martin. These efforts, from water quality monitoring to advocacy for shoreline preservation and sustainable water management, ensure that these vital natural resources remain protected for future generations.

Everyone who loves Lake Martin is invited to get involved in our clean water advocacy. We urge neighbors to speak and act with a common voice and to advocate to our public offices and to ADEM and FERC and Alabama Power. To join Lake Watch as a member or monitor or sponsor, visit the Lake Watch website at lakewatch.org or contact us by email at info@lakewatch.org.

Above all, get out on the waters of Lake Martin or the Tallapoosa River. It will make your heart happy!

 

Matt Campbell is president of Lake Watch of Lake Martin, Inc., a nonprofit all-volunteer 501(c)3 environmental organization working to protect the clean water of Lake Martin and the Tallapoosa watershed through water quality testing, public advocacy for water policy and environmental education.

by:  Matt Campbell, President  Lake Watch
 Appeared in October 2024 issue of Lake Magazine

Thank you, Lake Watch members and volunteer monitors! Lake Watch monitors put in a great amount of time providing water quality testing at sites across Lake Martin. Results of our bacteriological testing are posted to the Lake Watch Swim Alert web page (Lakewatch.org/swim-alert) and to the Alabama Water Watch statewide database (aaes.auburn.edu/alabamawaterwatch). Our testing this 2024 swim season confirms excellent water quality throughout the area of Lake Martin, as befits our “Treasured Alabama Lake.” 

Update on Alabama Department of Environmental Management Total Maximum Daily Loads process

ADEM welcomes participation by the citizens and local entities. Now is the time to act. 

ADEM has announced the development of total maximum daily loads for the upper Tallapoosa River and for Emuckfaw Creek in Tallapoosa and Clay counties and for High Pine Creek in Chambers and Randolph counties. These tributaries of the Tallapoosa River are above Lake Martin. So, they contribute to water quality in the lake. The State of Alabama has identified these streams as impaired from pathogens. The apparent sources of impairment are waste disposal, animal feeding operations (AFO/CAFOs) from the poultry industry and pasture grazing. Water quality monitoring tends to show a pattern of E. coli levels above ADEM limits, particularly after rain events, which cause muddy sediment erosion and waste runoff to flow into the streams and the Tallapoosa River. 

This TMDL process presents an important opportunity for clean water advocates to participate in improving water quality in the Tallapoosa watershed. Citizen stakeholders in our Tallapoosa communities should send written comments to ADEM to stress their support for clean water work in the Tallapoosa River and its tributary streams and to offer their suggestions on improving best management practices in our local communities. Contact Kimberly Minton, Water Division, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, at 334-271-7826 or email her at 

kminton@adem.alabama.gov.

Alabama Power Company has filed its “Updated Shoreline Management Plan” for Lake Martin

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission set the deadline of September 26, 2024, for citizen comments. 

Last year, a great number of Lake Martin area citizens attended a public forum hosted by Alabama Power Company at the Betty Carol Graham Center to discuss the update of the APC SMP. APC has filed this update SMP document with FERC. The update SMP proposes in part to expand the residential permitting process, and to increase the period between updates from six to 10 years. As of the date of publication of this current issue of Lake magazine, the stated deadline for filing a comment will have passed. Still, citizens advocacy is invited on this SMP for Lake Martin. The FERC notice, the update SMP document and directions for filing a comment may be viewed on the FERC website at ferc.gov.  

Matt Campbell is president of Lake Watch of Lake Martin, Inc., a 501(c)(3) environmental organization working to protect the clean water of Lake Martin and the Tallapoosa watershed through water quality testing, public advocacy and environmental education. Visit the website at info@lakewatch.org.

by:  Mat Campbell, President  Lake Watch
 Appeared in January 2024 issue of Lake Magazine

Lake Watch of Lake Martin, Inc., works as an affiliate of the Alabama Water Watch statewide organization to recruit and train volunteer monitors, who provide chemical and bacteriological water quality testing at sites across Lake Martin and in the river and streams throughout the middle Tallapoosa River watershed. Lake Watch volunteer monitors post the testing results to the Lake Watch Swim Alert webpage and to the AWW statewide database. Our testing in 2023 confirms excellent water quality throughout Lake Martin, as befits our “Treasured Alabama Lake” status. 

In the big picture, we celebrate the good health of the entire Tallapoosa River watershed and its tributary streams. The Tallapoosa is remarkable for its clean water, scenic beauty and recreational value, as well as the general good health of its aquatic and riparian flora and fauna. Its shoal habitats support amazing biodiversity in populations of native fish and other unique Alabama critters.

Fishing, kayaking and eco-tourism on the river contribute economic value to our rural economy. The pure recreational value of our river and streams is fundamental to our Alabama heritage and our lifestyle; however, we must all recognize sources of pollution in the river and streams and address measures that will protect and improve our clean water and protect the health of the river. Lake Watch testing on the tributary streams of the Tallapoosa River often shows high E. coli measurements that do not meet the applicable minimum standards of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management quality, particularly following rain events. Too many streams in the Tallapoosa basin are on ADEM’s 303(d) list as water quality impaired.

This is generally because of non-point source pollution that occurs when stormwater runoff carries surface-applied waste and pollutants into streams. Stormwater runoff also creates muddy water turbidity from soil erosion. Apparent sources of this pollution are the expanding poultry industry in our watershed; stormwater runoff from cattle pastures, agriculture and forestry; and shortcomings in community wastewater treatment.

Another villain has caught our eye as well. Lake Watch opposes the surface disposal of sludge onto the fields and forests of our watershed as an ostensible beneficial use as fertilizer. We urge all involved to stop this dreadful practice.

Friends of the Tallapoosa

On several occasions in 2023, Lake Watch joined representatives from other community conservation groups and other state and local watershed stakeholders to build a partnership of Friends of the Tallapoosa. We are grateful to Martha Hunter, Alabama Rivers Alliance director of community partnerships, for coordinating these events. The Friends of the Tallapoosa wants to develop clean water advocacy throughout the river watershed. We want to speak with a common voice to protect Alabama’s freshwater resources and to promote best practices and outdoor recreation on our waters throughout the Tallapoosa. Our Tallapoosa watershed meetings included representatives from Alabama Rivers Alliance (alabamarivers.org), Auburn University Water Resources Center (aaes.auburn.edu > wrc), AWW (aaes.auburn.edu/alabamawaterwatch), Lake Watch of Lake Martin (lakewatch.org), Save Our Saugahatchee, Native Fish Coalition (nativefishcoalition.org), East Alabama Fly Fishing (eastalabamaflyfishing.com), Lake Wedowee Property Owners Association (lakewedoweepoa.com), Yates Lake homeowners, state legislators and others.

Lake Watch and our partners advocate a watershed approach to protecting Lake Martin and all the waters of the Tallapoosa. Everyone on the river and on Alabama Power reservoirs needs to consider their own best practices and up their games. Individual citizens and property owners, farmers, foresters, business owners, industry, land developers and local government are urged to join the Friends advocacy group and to help develop best practices to prevail throughout our entire watershed.

Lake Watch 2024 general meeting

The Lake Watch of Lake Martin general meeting is set for Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at New Water Farms, 460 Civitan Rd., Dadeville. The public is invited. We will report our activities, hear a science-based program and socialize.  

Lake Watch urges all stakeholders to partner in the Tallapoosa watershed clean water advocacy as Friends of the Tallapoosa. To get involved and to join Lake Watch as a member, monitor or partner, visit the Lake Watch website (lakewatch.org). Above all, get out on the waters of Lake Martin or the Tallapoosa River. It will make your heart happy.

Matt Campbell is president of Lake Watch of Lake Martin, Inc., a non-profit, all volunteer, 501(c)(3) environmental organization working to protect the clean water of Lake Martin and the Tallapoosa watershed through water quality testing, public advocacy for water policy and environmental education. Learn more at info@lakewatch.org.

by:  Matt Campbell, President  Lake Watch
 Appeared in October 2023 issue of Lake Magazine

Lake Watch water quality monitoring on Lake Martin

Thank you, Lake Watch volunteers, for spending your time providing quality water testing across Lake Martin. Results of our bacteriological testing are posted to the Lake Watch Swim Alert webpage at Lakewatch.org, and to the Alabama Water Watch statewide database at auburn.edu/alabamawaterwatch. Our testing this 2023 swim season confirms excellent water quality throughout the area of Lake Martin, as befits our “Treasured Alabama Lake” status.

Testing tributary streams

Bacteriological testing on the Tallapoosa River and tributary streams in the Tallapoosa basin often show E. coli measurements that do not meet the applicable ADEM minimum standards, particularly following rain events. Apparent sources of this pollution include:

• the poultry industry in our watershed
• storm water runoff from cattle pastures, agriculture and forestry
• shortcomings in community wastewater treatment

Camp Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant

In the April 2023 issue of Lake magazine, our Lake Watch article anticipated an important move in overcoming the pollution of Sandy Creek and Lake Martin coming from the Camp Hill community wastewater ponds. Now, with dismay and a heavy heart, we regret to report that the Town of Camp Hill appears to be fumbling this unique opportunity to receive federal dollars for this project. At this time, the number one concern of Lake Watch is that the Camp Hill wastewater ponds should not degenerate further and pose a chronic source of pollution to Sandy Creek and Lake Martin. We implore Camp Hill Mayor Williams-Cole, the Camp Hill Town Council, the Tallapoosa County Commission, ADEM, and Rep. Ed Oliver to please all give your best efforts to save this project. You are the stewards of the clean waters of our community.

“Tallapoosa Clean Water Priority,” a Watershed Management Plan

The good news is that clean water conservation efforts are mounting throughout the Tallapoosa basin, at the universities, ADEM and amongst our government officials. The Alabama Rivers Alliance recently hosted a networking meeting for community groups, watershed stakeholders and state legislators to discuss opportunities to protect and celebrate Alabama’s freshwater resources and promote safe and healthy outdoor recreation in our waters. Special thanks to ARA’s Martha Hunter and Kelly Marshall for this meeting. Lake Watch is grateful to ARA for their excellent program. Visit their website at alabamarivers.org.

Lake Watch advocates a watershed approach to protecting Lake Martin and the Tallapoosa River. Industry, individual citizens, property owners, farmers, foresters, business owners and local government are urged to help develop practices to prevail throughout our entire watershed, and to support measures that will protect and improve our clean water. Get involved in Lake Watch and as a partner in the Tallapoosa Clean Water Priority. Water quality advocacy for our streams is good for Lake Martin. Fishing, kayaking and eco-tourism on the river contribute economic value to our rural economy. The pure recreational value of our river and streams is fundamental to our Alabama heritage and our lifestyle.

To get involved in the Tallapoosa Clean Water Priority or to join Lake Watch as a member, monitor or sponsor, visit the Lake Watch website at lakewatch.org. Above all, get out on the waters of Lake Martin or the Tallapoosa River. It will make your heart happy. 

Matt Campbell is president of Lake Watch of Lake Martin, Inc. Learn more at info@lakewatch.org.

by:  Matt Campbell, President  Lake Watch
 Appeared in July 2023 issue of Lake Magazine

Now that summer is in full swing, Lake Watch volunteers are back to work providing twice-a-month water quality testing at sites across Lake Martin. Results of our bacteriological testing are posted to the Lake Watch Swim Alert webpage at Lakewatch.org/swim-alert and to the Alabama Water Watch statewide database at aaes.auburn.edu/alabamawaterwatch. Our testing this season confirms excellent water quality throughout Lake Martin; however, if our testing does identify areas on the lake that do not appear to meet ADEM safe swimming standards, that information can be used by persons recreating on the lake to make their safe swimming decisions. 

Now that summer is in full swing, Lake Watch volunteers are back to work providing twice-a-month water quality testing at sites across Lake Martin. Results of our bacteriological testing are posted to the Lake Watch Swim Alert webpage at Lakewatch.org/swim-alert and to the Alabama Water Watch statewide database at aaes.auburn.edu/alabamawaterwatch. Our testing this season confirms excellent water quality throughout Lake Martin; however, if our testing does identify areas on the lake that do not appear to meet ADEM safe swimming standards, that information can be used by persons recreating on the lake to make their safe swimming decisions. 

Lake Watch monitors water quality at numerous swimming beach sites across Lake Martin, including the beach at one popular restaurant in the lower lake where geese and ducks may often be present in significant numbers. Some patrons delight in feeding the waterfowl and turtles at this swim beach. At this site, Lake Watch monitors identified E. coli levels above the ADEM safe swimming limit on two occasions in the 2022 swim season and again in May 2023. Presence of waterfowl, particularly Canada geese in significant numbers, could be expected to produce fecal contamination at a swim beach, be it public or private. Also, be aware that E.coli would persist in the sediment for a fairly long time after the geese have left.

Lake lovers need to make their own informed decisions about wildlife management and when and where to swim. Lake Watch recommends that lake lovers discourage the presence of geese at their swim areas. We all know that this is easier said than done. Geese are very persistent about getting to a food source, such as a nice green lawn or fruit trees near the water. Above all, feeding of food pellets and table scraps is discouraged.

Canada geese are magnificent creatures. Most of us delight to see them on Lake Martin and believe that the resident population is at a healthy natural level. Lake Watch inquired at the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. They referred us to a very thorough article on their website addressing the problem presented by Canada geese. On page one, this article offers a control measure, “Ban public feeding of geese,” as the first listed item under Habitat Modification. Read the article at outdooralabama.com/sites/default/files/Wildlife/Nuisance/CanadaGeese_Final.pdf.

Oversight of upcoming industrial discharge from Alabama Graphite Products, LLC 

It is understood that the Alabama Department of Environmental Management has issued a State Indirect Discharge Permit to Alabama Graphite Products, Inc., at Lake Martin Regional Industrial Park in Kellyton. AGP will produce a coated spherical graphite product to be used primarily in electric vehicle batteries. AGP is expected to go online as the first graphite processing plant of its kind in the U.S. The company has represented that it will use proprietary technology that is environmentally friendly and specifically will not use hydrofluoric acid in the processing. AGP is to receive fresh water from Alexander City and, after pre-processing the waste at the plant, return a stream of wastewater to the Alexander City Sugar Creek municipal wastewater treatment plant. The Sugar Creek plant effluent discharges into Lake Martin. 

Lake Watch was delighted that ADEM Director Lance LeFleur provided representatives from Lake Watch and from Lake Martin Homeowners and Boat Owners Association a meeting at ADEM with himself and six ADEM program managers to discuss the AGP permit. This very thorough and informative meeting lasted two hours. We learned that the AGP construction has not yet reached its final stage. No effluent is being discharged as yet.

The SID permit provides that the AGP plant must submit an updated comprehensive analysis of the plant’s actual wastewater within six months from initiation of discharge. Currently, there are no specific EPA federal effluent guidelines governing this categorical discharge. Until now, the industry hasn’t existed in the U.S. ADEM uses best professional judgement, evaluations of the municipal wastewater treatment plant and water quality standards in developing the permit. ADEM will review the permit to AGP after commencement of discharge. The Alexander City Sugar Creek WWTP also has a final say on the volume and composition of the wastewater that will be accepted into the plant. The ADEM permit issued to Alabama Graphite is subject to review by the EPA.

The permitted discharge volume is 400,000 gallons per day. The Sugar Creek WWTP has 8.5 million gallons per day capacity. Regarding the character of the discharge, we learned that the most significant regulated pollutant is expected to be a concentration of dissolved salts. Dissolved salts are mostly from calcium, magnesium and sulphur. It is represented that these salts are common components in soil and in seawater. ADEM stated that the volume of salts being added by the Alabama Graphite discharge is a small in relation to the design capacity of the WWTP.

ADEM said that heavy metals, if present in the graphite ore, precipitate out in the graphite purification and pH adjustment processes. If metals are present in the waste, they will be at levels similar to those in domestic sewage, based on the data provided in the application. The SID permit estimates that the discharge pH will be approximately 8.0. ADEM said the common range of allowable pH for the discharge for SID permits is 5.0 to 10.5. Regarding concern about “forever chemicals,” such as PFAS in the Alabama Graphite discharge, ADEM stated that there are no significant levels of forever chemicals expected in the discharge and that higher levels could likely be found in everyday residential wastewater.

ADEM said that they have no serious concerns about the pollutants listed in the Alabama Graphite wastewater as characterized in the Alabama Graphite permit application. The SID permit was developed to be protective of the receiving stream and protective of the municipal WWTP itself. ADEM is confident in the multiple layers of water quality protection for the lake, which include:

• wastewater pretreatment at the plant by Alabama Graphite as required by the ADEM permit;
• routine testing by AGP of their discharge as required by ADEM;
• unannounced testing of the Alabama Graphite discharge by ADEM;
• routine testing of discharge at the Sugar Creek WWTP;
• review of discharge monitoring reports submitted monthly by Alabama Graphite and the Sugar Creek WWTP to ADEM.

Lake Watch has conferred with Alexander City’s Mayor “Woody” Baird, who said that, at this time, the City has no issues or concerns with the effluent expected to be produced by AGP. Baird said the AGP effluent post processing through the Sugar Creek WWTP is expected to be drinkable by the time it goes into the lake. It has been calculated that Lake Martin has about a 190-day retention time, meaning the water in the lake is renewed every 190 days, primarily by incoming flow from the Tallapoosa River and outgoing flow through Martin Dam. At this point, Lake Watch is rather confident that we may expect Lake Martin will not be adversely impacted by the Alabama Graphite discharge and that ADEM and Alexander City are on top of the current  situation.

To join Lake Watch or renew your membership, to get involved as a partner in the Tallapoosa Clean Water Priority, to get involved in Lake Watch as a member or monitor or sponsor, visit the Lake Watch website at lakewatch.org. 

Matt Campbell is president of Lake Watch of Lake Martin, Inc. Learn more at info@lakewatch.org.

by:  Matt Campbell, President,  Lake Watch
 Appeared in April 2023 issue of Lake Magazine

Lake Martin water quality monitoring

Now that swim season is upon us, Lake Watch volunteers are back to work providing twice-a-month water quality testing at 17 or more sites across Lake Martin. Lake Watch Swim Alert Director Eric Reutebuch said test results will be posted on the Lake Watch Swim Alert webpage.

“Results of our bacteriological testing will be posted at Lakewatch.org/swim-guide and to the Alabama Water Watch statewide database. We expect our testing will confirm excellent water quality throughout Lake Martin.” Reutebuch said. “If our testing identifies areas on the lake that at the time do not appear to meet ADEM safe swimming standards, that information can be used by persons recreating on the lake to make their safe swimming decisions.” 

Testing on tributary streams

 This swim season, Lake Watch will further expand bacteriological testing on the Tallapoosa River and its tributary streams and report data to the Alabama Water Watch data bank, as well as directly to ADEM. We find that, on many of our tributary streams, testing reveals E. coli measurements that do not meet the applicable ADEM minimum standards.

Apparent sources of this pollution include the expanding poultry industry in our watershed, storm water runoff from cattle pastures and shortcomings in community wastewater treatment. Lake Watch is seeking to confirm sources of pollution in the river and streams and to address measures that would protect and improve our clean water. Water quality advocacy for our streams is good for Lake Martin. Fishing, kayaking and eco-tourism on the river contribute economic value to our rural communities; moreover, the pure recreational value of our river and streams is fundamental to our Alabama heritage and our lifestyle. Property owners, farmers, foresters, business owners, local government ...  are urged to help develop best practices to prevail throughout the watershed. Get involved as partners in our Clean Water Priority. 

Alabamians, don’t take clean water for granted. Celebrate your clean water and protect it.  

Oversight of industrial discharge from Alabama Graphite Products, LLC

Lake Martin area citizens are concerned over Lake Martin receiving industrial pollution from the Alabama Graphite Products plant now under construction in Kellyton. Citizens have asked Lake Watch to provide a measure of oversight regarding this industrial discharge. Lake Watch has resolved to do so. Our Alabama State administration and local government have been delighted to welcome Westwater Resources, Inc., and its subsidiary, Alabama Graphite Products, LLC, to the Lake Martin Regional Industrial Park to produce graphite product for use primarily in electric vehicle batteries.

We understand this will be the first graphite processing plant of its kind in the U.S. and that it will use environmentally friendly, patent pending, proprietary technology. The graphite processing plant is to receive fresh water from Alexander City and, after pre-processing the waste at the plant, will return a stream of wastewater to the Alexander City Sugar Creek municipal wastewater treatment plant. The Sugar Creek plant effluent discharges into Lake Martin.

ADEM has issued to Alabama Graphite Products, LLC, a State Indirect Discharge (SID) final permit, dated Sept. 29, 2022. The public wants to be informed about what will ultimately be discharged into Lake Martin. Lake Watch is concerned that, at this point, the characteristics of discharge and the acceptable wastewater profile referred to in the SID permit may still be open questions.

Prior to issuance of a permit, representatives from Lake Watch and Lake Martin HOBOs attended an informative and reassuring meeting of executives and engineers from Alexander City and Alabama Graphite. Lake Watch will request a follow up meeting with ADEM soon. We want EPA, ADEM and Alabama Graphite to provide the very highest standards of environmental protection for this new graphite processing technology. We want Westwater Resources, Inc., and Alabama Graphite Products, LLC, to spare no cost in providing clear, clean discharge from its operations. 

Clean Water Bouquet Awards 

A Clean Water Bouquet goes out to the Camp Hill Wastewater Treatment Plant project. Lake Watch understands that ADEM is poised to award a very substantial grant to the Town of Camp Hill for construction of a first class WWTP. Over past years, Camp Hill’s settlement ponds have drained into Sandy Creek and then on to Lake Martin. Thanks goes to all persons who are making this project happen, especially including ADEM Director Lance LeFleur, Rep. Ed Oliver, County Commissioner Emma Jean Thweatt and Camp Hill Mayor Williams-Cole. This is great news for Sandy Creek and Lake Martin. 

A Clean Water Bouquet goes out to the Wind Creek State Park project for construction of a forced main to Alexander City’s Sugar Creek WWTP. Lake Watch understands that ADEM is poised to award a very substantial grant for this infrastructure project. The Wind Creek State Park settlement ponds have drained into Lake Martin. Thanks goes to all persons who are making this project happen, specially including ADEM Director Lance LeFleur, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Rep. Ed Oliver, County Commissioner Steve Robinson and Alexander City Mayor Baird. This is great news for Wind Creek State Park and Lake Martin.

Matt Campbell is president of Lake Watch of Lake Martin, Inc., a non-profit, all volunteer, 501(c)(3) environmental organization working to protect the clean water of Lake Martin and the Tallapoosa watershed.

by:  Mat Campbell, President,  Lake Watch
 Appeared in January 2023 issue of Lake Magazine

Lake Watch celebrates the clean water of Lake Martin, and we work to protect it. Likewise, we recognize the importance of the streams of the Tallapoosa River watershed, and we celebrate their clean water, beauty and recreational value. 

For over 30 years, Lake Watch has worked with Alabama Water Watch to recruit and train volunteer Lake Watch monitors. Lake Watch submits accurate water quality data to AWW and to Alabama Department of Environmental Management. During swim season on Lake Martin, water quality test results from 15 Lake Watch Swim Alert sites are reported on the website at lakewatch.org/Swim-Alert. Sites on Lake Martin consistently confirm excellent water quality, as expected on our Treasured Alabama Lake; however, on occasions, a site shows E. coli levels beyond the safe limit set by ADEM, which also is reported. Testing on the tributary streams of the Tallapoosa River drainage into Lake Martin shows high E. coli levels following rain events.

Water quality monitoring on our streams is not just about keeping Lake Martin clean. It is important that Lake Watch monitoring and our clean water advocacy extends to the tributary streams of the Tallapoosa River basin. For example, Hillabee Creek at the state Route 22 bridge site is a lovely swimming and wading site where Lake Watch tests at the bridge. When the Hillabee is low and clear, it generally shows E. coli within safe swimming limits; however, when Hillabee rises following a rain event, it generally shows E. coli well above the ADEM safe swimming limit. 

Lake Watch monitoring on Hillabee, Emuckfaw, Sandy and Blue creeks has been long standing. These streams are major tributaries into Lake Martin. Hillabee, Emuckfaw and Blue creeks have been placed on the 2022 ADEM Sec. 303(d) list as impaired for pathogens, specifically E. coli. E. coli sources include cattle, human and poultry. Going forward, Lake Watch monitoring on these streams needs to be strategically assessed, expanded and supported.

Lake Watch has added test sites where ADEM is not testing, including rain event testing on these 303(d) streams at the same sites ADEM has been using. For example, ADEM has test sites on Hillabee Creek at state Route 22 and at Sanford Road. These ADEM sites are below the confluence of the Little Hillabee and the Enitachopco creeks. So, Lake Watch has recently established test sites above the confluence, one on Little Hillabee and one on the Enitachopco. Lake Watch tests these sites twice a month, including one rain event.

We report our data to AWW and to ADEM (Special efforts by our monitor Dale Campo are acknowledged), which helps to fill in a gap where ADEM data may be missing. It also helps to identify sources of E. coli pollution. Lake Watch works to maintain a good interface with ADEM staff who provide verification and response when data shows the need.

Lake Watch stresses the recreational importance of the streams of the Tallapoosa River watershed. A favorite local canoeing and kayaking run on the Tallapoosa River is from Horseshoe Bend to Jaybird Landing. During swim season, Lake Watch maintains Jaybird Landing as a Lake Watch Swim Alert site. Diligent testing year-round, including rain events, on the Tallapoosa River and on Emuckfaw Creek, provides data important to the clean water advocacy for this popular stretch of the river (Special efforts by monitor John Clements are acknowledged).

When their water level is right, the Chattasofka and Sandy creeks offer kayaking from Dadeville beyond Agricola Road past state Route 49 and down to Lake Martin. Likewise, the upper and middle Tallapoosa River and Crooked Creek in Clay County offer exceptional kayaking and fishing opportunities. The story of the beauty and recreational value of these streams is best told by their adjoining private property owners and those who live and play in these streams. The story includes the potential for economic value to private property owners who provide conservation measures and increased public accessibility for kayaking and fishing. 

Accurate data is a necessary component to a water quality improvement plan that requires many partners up and down the line. Lake Watch is seeking watershed stewards in our Lake Martin and Tallapoosa River Clean Water Priority program. We believe the Alabama Watershed Stewards Program, sponsored by Alabama Cooperative Extension System, AWW and ADEM, is the best available forum for advocacy by Lake Watch and its partners. We are asking state and local government and the university community to join us and help lead us in this program. We are asking Lake Martin and Tallapoosa River area businesses and our county tourism representatives to join us as program partners and sponsors. 

Everyone on the lake and on the river needs to consider best practices and up their games. Lake Watch and our Lake Martin partners are to identify their advocacy regarding on-lake matters that require conservation measures, such as county supervision of new high-density real estate development, private septic system maintenance, construction and post-construction management of storm water runoff. Likewise, we want upstream partners to join in. Agriculture, forestry and our rural communities should expand their best practices to improve the water quality of tributary streams draining into Lake Martin. 

We are familiar with the statement: “Lake Martin is the economic engine of our community.” It is interesting to ponder the examples that make that true. Businesses and organizations in the Lake Martin community should please become Lake Watch program partners and financial supporters.

Contact us by email at info@lakewatch.org to become a monitor, a partner or a program sponsor. Lake Watch acknowledges the good work of its members and the good work of AWW, HOBOs, LMRA and all the lovers of Lake Martin who contribute their time, energy and money. We share in common our advocacy for the clean waters of the Tallapoosa River basin and our Treasured Lake Martin.

Matt Campbell is president of Lake Watch of Lake Martin, Inc., a non-profit, all volunteer, 501(c)(3) environmental organization working to protect the clean water of Lake Martin and the Tallapoosa watershed.