Alabama Power will test warning sirens installed downstream of Mitchell and Lay dams on Wednesday, February 29, 2012. The sirens will be sounded at or around noon and will be preceded by a voice announcement.

The sirens are in place to warn residents living downstream of the dams in the unlikely event of a structural failure at either facility. Residents do not need to take any action when the siren test takes place.  

“The dams are in excellent condition,” said Gene Allison, Hydro general manager. “The tests are simply an annual requirement by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which licenses the dams. The sirens are there to warn residents to immediately move to higher ground if there’s a problem,” Allison said.

The sirens are located one-half to three-quarters of a mile downstream from the dams. The devices are different than the horns located on the dams, which warn the public of sudden water discharges when a turbine is activated or a spillway gate is opened.

Please visit https://lakes.alabamapower.com/ to learn more about Alabama Power reservoirs. Or call 1-800-LAKES11 for information about lake conditions, dam generation schedules and shoreline issues.