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.