Alabama Power is asking residents of Lay, Mitchell and Jordan/Bouldin lakes who are planning shoreline construction projects to begin applying for lakeshore-use permits in anticipation of a water-level drawdown this fall.

This will be the first drawdown in several years on the three southernmost Coosa reservoirs operated by Alabama Power. The company expects heavy resident interest in lakeshore use permits for shoreline construction during the planned reductions.

“We are encouraging residents to approach us early,” said Candy Hayes, shoreline manager for the lower Coosa reservoirs operated by Alabama Power. “Those who contact us early for lakeshore-use permits for dock and shoreline construction will be in better shape to get early approval so they can start lining up a contractor.”

While the exact timing of the drawdown depends on rainfall later this year, Alabama Power expects to lower lake levels gradually during several weeks this fall. Drawdowns between 2 and 4 feet are planned on each lake to give residents and contractors better lakebed access for permitted construction projects.

This gradual lowering will also allow Alabama Power biologists – in coordination with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – to survey snail populations in Lay Lake tributaries.