Story by Betsy Ilser / Photo by Kenneth Boone / Courtesy of Lake magazine
Lake Martin is now filling up, and it’s time to start filling up the calendar with summer fun as well. To help you do that, Lake magazine and Tallapoosa County Lake Martin Tourism will be ‘plugging’ the area’s summer events all through the 50-day countdown to full pool. Visit Lake magazine’s Facebook page every day to learn more about the events and recreational opportunities offered at Lake Martin.
The countdown to full pool started at midnight on March 1 and will finish at midnight on April 19. The dates are stipulated in the 2015 Alabama Power license to operate Martin Dam. Issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the license requires that Alabama Power follow a published rule curve – a schedule of water targeted levels throughout the year. Barring emergency situations and flood control measures, the lake’s water level rises about 1 foot every week between March 1 and April 19. Heavy rains and flooding anywhere along the Tallapoosa River system take precedence over the rule curve, but as soon as conditions return to normal, the water level on the lake readjusts to the rule curve.
In winter, the water level drops to 284 mean sea level feet to create storage space in the reservoir for winter rains and to allow homeowners along the shoreline to make permitted repairs to docks and seawalls. Starting March 1, the rule curve calls for a gradual increase of water levels to 291 msl feet, which is the summer pool level. The rule curve remains at 291 feet all summer long until Sept. 1 – or if certain conditions are met throughout the river system, Oct. 15.
To celebrate the days that lead Lake Martin closer and closer to full pool, we’ll help you plan for the upcoming summer activities and events you don’t want to miss, from the opening of the Crank4Bank fishing tournament to the Labor Day music fest. Every day, we’ll spotlight one of the popular lake pastimes or events that make Lake Martin the place to be all summer long, such as the Jazz Fest concert series.
This two-day music festival hosted by the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce brings six bands to two locations – one night of music in downtown’s Strand Park and a second night at Lake Martin Amphitheater. This free concert has drawn thousands of music lovers to the area for more than 30 years. It started in 1991, when a local department store held a concert in the parking lot to celebrate its 100th anniversary. It’s been going on – and grown – with free admission ever since.
And the Lake Martin Songwriters Festival, now in its fourth year, is TCLMT’s signature event. Last year’s festival featured more than 25 musicians at 17 venues for five days of music all around the lake. Local restaurants and lounges host performances by musicians who have written favorite tunes across a variety of genres. Make plans and hotel reservations now to be sure you have a place to stay July 24 through 28.
There’s music at the lake all summer long, including RXR Fest on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads, the July 4 concert at The Amp, Strand Sessions on the first Thursday night of every month through August, and the return of Black Jacket Symphony in July. Check out the May summer calendar issue of Lake magazine for the music schedules at Friday On The Green, Chuck’s and a host of other lake area watering holes to fill your Lake Martin summer with music.
But there’s so much more than music happening at Lake Martin this summer.
Sign up for the Lions Lake Martin Poker Run in July and have a great time on the lake while raising money for local charities. Dress up in costume and decorate the boat to tour five marinas and collect a winning poker hand and lots of prizes by the end of the day.
Dress out again for the Russell Marine July 4 Boat Parade. Patriotic themes win cash for the biggest flag, most patriotic crew and more as this annual boat parade draws crowds in the thousands both on and off the water.
Go ‘flinking’ (floating and drinking) in a quiet cove or raft up with friends. Play golf at one of Lake Martin’s four fabulous courses. Ride the Screaming Eagle zipline at Wind Creek State Park. Paddle the Tallapoosa River at Riverfest and visit one of at least five arts shows in the area this summer. Go bird watching, geocaching, antiquing and more.
Just check out the plugs on the Lake magazine Facebook page and learn more about each event on the Tallapoosa County Lake Martin Tourism website. Mark your calendar for the summer of fun.
To have your logo on a post and sponsor one of the 50 countdown to full pool days on the Lake Facebook page, call 256-234-4281. Special thank you to the Lake Plug Day presenting sponsor Central State Bank.
