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.

by:  Eric Reutebuch, Director, Lake Watch
 Appeared in October 2022 issue of Lake Magazine

Lake Watch of Lake Martin partnered with Auburn University last year to conduct a scientific study of surface water draining from Lake Martin’s watershed into the lake (see Lake Watch goes hi-tech with AU microbiologist, Lake Magazine – July 2021). The study was funded by a grant from the Alabama Water Resources Research Institute and matching contributions from Lake Watch and Lake Martin HOBO. The study focused on four streams that drain landscapes with mixed land uses and flow into the Tallapoosa River, which then flows into the upper lake.

We observed a proliferation of new chicken houses popping up above the lake and were concerned about what impacts the chicken waste (litter) would have on the waters flowing into Lake Martin. Lake Watch had been testing these streams for a couple of years and had found high levels of E. coli in the streams following significant rain events.

E. coli is a bacterium that inhabits the gut of warm-blooded animals (livestock, wildlife) and humans. Its presence in water indicates fecal contamination – a health risk to those that recreate in the water.

Once Lake Watch discovered the presence of high E. coli in streams above the lake, the next questions were: Where’s the poop coming from, and is it impacting the lake? The AU researchers, Dr. Feng and her graduate student Wenjing Ren, used microbial source tracking to analyze water samples from the four streams and the Tallapoosa River at Jaybird Landing, where Lake Martin begins.

MST employs genetic marker analysis to identify the critters from which the fecal contamination or animal tissue originated – like the testing used on NCIS to identify criminals. The researchers analyzed water for the presence of four different genetic markers: a human bacterial marker; a cattle bacterial marker, a chicken bacterial marker and a chicken tissue marker. E. coli concentrations were also measured.

Water samples were taken on 11 dates from September 2021 through May 2022. Half of the sampling targeted rain events when the streams had elevated flow, and the other half targeted dry periods when the streams were at normal level.

AU results verified Lake Watch monitor test results showing high concentrations of E. coli in the streams mentioned above in the Lake Martin watershed after significant rain events.

To our surprise, humans and cattle were the main sources of fecal contamination in the streams and the river at Jaybird Landing regardless of rainfall/streamflow levels. Both sources were found in all four streams and at Jaybird Landing and were highest after significant rain events. Crooked and Timbergut creeks usually had the highest concentrations of human and cattle genetic markers, as well as the highest concentrations of fecal contamination.

Timbergut Creek had the highest levels of fecal contamination, with six of the 11 sample dates having E. coli levels above EPA standards, mostly after rain events.

Chicken bacterial genetic markers were detected much less frequently, only on three sample dates in only three streams, Timbergut, Emuckfaw and Hillabee and at Jaybird Landing, after rain events.

Chicken tissue genetic markers were detected most frequently (on every sample date, 11 of 11 dates) in one stream, Crooked Creek, and also downstream in the Tallapoosa River at Jaybird Landing, on six of 10 sample dates, after rain events.

So what does this mean for the lake? For the time being, the proliferation of chicken houses above the lake appears to not be a threat to Lake Martin, according to the study. A major consideration is that the litter in chicken houses is only cleaned out once every two to three years. It is conceivable that the study may not have captured the impacts of chicken litter since the study was done over a limited time period (nine months) and could have missed impacts from chicken litter spread on local fields. Another possibility could be that chicken farmers are using appropriate best management practices that retain chicken waste on their fields so very little runs off into streams. And yet another confounding factor – when petroleum prices are high, manufactured fertilizer prices go up, and chicken litter becomes more valuable. Under these circumstances, poultry farmers sell their litter for use by farmers as fertilizer, and it is trucked out of the watershed and has no impact on local water quality. We don’t know the amount of litter spread during the study. Whatever the case may be, we need to keep an eye on the expanding poultry production in our watershed.

Based on the results of the AU study, it appears that we do have an issue with human and cattle waste in streams emptying into the river and ultimately into the upper lake. We need to work on tracking down these sources of contamination and get them resolved.

The detection of chicken tissue markers coming down Crooked Creek on every sampling date and detection at the beginning of the lake at Jaybird Landing was also a surprise. More testing is needed to determine the source of chicken tissue in Crooked Creek. We don’t yet know the implications of this finding and will need assistance to determine whether this poses any threat to lake users. We’ll keep you posted.

Be sure to check the Lake Watch Swim Alert at lakewatch.org/swim-guide to get the latest E. coli test results throughout the lake and at Hillabee and Emuckfaw creeks. Be safe and enjoy the water. And consider helping us out in our mission to protect our treasured lake, go to lakewatch.org/our-programs to learn more. 

Learn more about Lake Watch at lakewatch.org.

By:  Eric Reutebuch, Lake Watch Past President
 Appeared in Lake Magazine, July 2022 Edition

Lake Watchers have been hard at work initiating the new Swim Alert monitoring program since my last article describing our swim alert vision in April’s issue of Lake magazine. We have identified popular swimming spots in and around Lake Martin; built webpages for posting and accessing swim-site test results; initiated Lake Watch bacteria monitoring at the sites; and posted results on our Swim Alert website at www.lakewatch.org/swim-alert. Thanks to Lake Watch’s fabulous monitor coordinator, Ann Campbell, and dedicated water monitors, Lake Watch Swim Alert is now a reality.

We are working on getting the word out to the Lake Martin community so that all can avail of this information. Thus far, Swim Alert has been posted in many places online, including the Lake Watch website at lakewatch.org, the Lake Watch of Lake Martin Facebook page, lakemagazine.life,  nextdoor.com, the City of Alexander City’s Facebook page, Lake Martin Homeowners and Boat Owners’ website at lakemartinhobos.com and the Lake Martin HOBOs Facebook page. We welcome suggestions and help to spread the word about Swim Alert to the lake community.

As stated in our last article, we are testing for E. coli bacteria at swim areas. If E. coli is present, the water is contaminated with feces of a warm-blooded animal and considered unsafe for swimming (when the contamination is above 235 E. coli per 100 milliliters of water – about half a cup). I’m sure that none of us want to swim in poopy water.

Popular and regularly visited swim sites were at the top of the list for monitoring site selection. Several are developed swim beaches. They include Wind Creek State Park beach, D.A.R.E. Park beach, Camp Alamisco swim area, Camp ASCCA swim area, Kowaliga Restaurant beach, Willow Point Country Club beach, Big Beach and Villas on the Harbor Pier adjacent to Harbor Point Marina beach. Lake Watch volunteers also monitor the popular swimming area on Hillabee Creek right above the state Route 22 bridge and the popular canoe take-out site at Jaybird Landing in the uppermost reach of Lake Martin.

Additional testing sites include two on the upper lake above Coley Creek. One is near the community of Andrew Jackson, and the other is a bit above the confluence of Coley Creek and the lake. These last two sites are not swim areas; they are considered sentinel sites for detection of bacterial contamination coming from the watershed above the lake and flowing down the Tallapoosa River into the lake. We are still working to add monitors at other swim sites.

For most of the lake, bacterial contamination is not an issue, but there are a few areas that have issues. Thus far, at the time of submission of this article, two areas have repeatedly had E. coli contamination at unsafe levels this year: Jaybird Landing has tested high in E. coli in six out of nine tests, as did the swimming area at Hillabee Creek in six out of 10 tests. Jaybird Landing had a high of 1,800 E. coli per 100 milliliters in early April, more than seven times the level considered safe for swimming, and Hillabee Creek had a whopping high of 4,600 E. coli per 100 milliliters in early April, almost 20 times the safe level. These levels of fecal contamination are definitely unsafe for human contact. E. coli levels have declined in the most recent tests at these two sites but are still over the safe level.  

The ultimate goal of Lake Watch is to identify the sources of fecal contamination and get them resolved. Until then, please help spread the word about Swim Alert. Send the link lakewatch.org/swim-alert to family and friends to keep your loved ones safe while recreating in the lake. Check Swim Alert regularly for updated test results for your favorite swim areas, and support Lake Watch of Lake Martin so that we can continue this effort throughout the lake.

Enjoy our beautiful Treasured Lake this summer and be safe. 

Eric Reutebuch is past-president of Lake Watch Lake Martin

By:  Eric Reutebuch, Lake Watch President
Appeared in Lake Magazine, April 2022 Edition

Eagerly awaiting another summer of fun in the sun and in the water, Lake Watch of Lake Martin remains committed to protecting our lake and all who recreate in the lake. Last fall, Lake Watch tested and reported high E. coli for the first time in the lake upstream of the U.S. Route 280 Bridge, above the lake’s confluence with Coley Creek. We sent out a call for help to recruit more water monitors and, to our delight, around 30 people answered the call. Since then, 17 have gone through training and been certified by Alabama Water Watch in either bacteriological monitoring or water chemistry monitoring, or both. This new batch of volunteers more than doubles the number of water monitors we now have on the lake and its watershed.

You may wonder – what’s the big deal about a few bacteria in the lake? A few are not such a big deal, but when you get 100s to 1000s per cup of lake water, and they are E. coli from feces of warm-blooded animals or humans, that becomes a problem – a public health problem. If contacted and ingested (by swallowing some contaminated water), E. coli may result in serious illness, including fever, nausea, vomiting, hemorrhagic diarrhea, anemia, dehydration, renal failure, seizures and even death (www.medicinenet.com/e_coli__0157h7/article.htm). E. coli could certainly ruin a weekend on the lake.

Lake Watch has identified about 20 strategic sites on the lake, streams and the Tallapoosa River flowing into the lake to assign to these new monitors. Several of these will be Swim Alert sites that we will upload to the Swim Guide at www.theswimguide.org. We plan to use Swim Guide as the medium to broadcast bacteriological test results to the Lake Martin community and beyond. Swim Guide is a web-based one-stop shop for swimming-area water quality information and the most popular beach information service in the world. It provides free up-to-date water quality information for more than 8,000 beaches, lakes, rivers and swimming holes throughout North America and several other countries. 

Our Swim Alert sites will be locations that are regularly used for swimming and typically have a swim beach, such as Wind Creek State Park, DARE Park, Camp Alamisco and Camp ASCCA or swimming areas on streams like the one at Hillabee Creek above the state Route 22 bridge. We plan to monitor the sites regularly and will promptly post the results on the Swim Guide website. We plan to sample monthly and after significant rain events. The post-rain event sampling is particularly important since that is when we typically find higher levels of bacterial contamination in the streams, the river and the lake. This is because of fecal material flushing off the landscape into the water with runoff during rain events.

We plan to feature the Swim Guide postings on a Swim Alert webpage on our website (www.lakewatch.org). The page, featuring the latest bacteriological test results, will be shared with Lake Martin Homeowners and Boat Owners Association, Lake Martin Resource Association, municipalities and others, so results will be widely available to the public in a timely manner. 

Our bacteriological test results will be posted as easy-to-interpret icons used by Swim Guide: green for safe – go swimming; and red for not safe – stop and consider swimming elsewhere since the water is contaminated with E. coli. Following the Alabama Department of Environmental Management standard, an E. coli concentration above 235 per 100 milliliters (approximately a cup of water) is unsafe for human contact. 

View an example of a Swim Guide beach webpage for Lake Jackson in Florala, Alabama, that reported safe swimming conditions at www.theswimguide.org/beach/5394. The green swim icon tells you that bacterial contamination (E. coli) was below the level that would be a health risk to swimmers. Note: The icon indicates ‘historical status.’ When viewing Swim Guide reports, check the date below the icon for when the water was tested – the most recent Florala data was from October 2021 (bacteriological testing in Alabama at swim areas isn’t usually done in the winter, as folks aren’t swimming then). 

We believe the Swim Alert will help keep everyone safer as we work to resolve bacterial contamination issues that arise. We anticipate that the vast majority of the time throughout the lake, we will not find significant contamination in the water since our lake is a very clean lake. But when contamination is detected, we want to protect the public as best we can through Swim Alert, so folks could avoid contaminated waters.

Our ultimate goal beyond Swim Alert is to work toward tracking down bacterial contamination sources as they occur and resolving them at their sources. For updates on all of Lake Watch’s efforts, join us at our annual meeting on April 24. Visit our website for details. I hope to see you there.

Eric Reutebuch is president of Lake Watch Lake Martin.