- Lake Martin
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For other lakes named Martin, see Martin Lake (disambiguation).
Lake Martin 
Acapulco Rock and Chimney Rock at the lake Location Coosa / Elmore / Tallapoosa counties, Alabama, USA Coordinates 32°45′59.37″N 85°54′3.85″W / 32.7664917°N 85.9010694°WCoordinates: 32°45′59.37″N 85°54′3.85″W / 32.7664917°N 85.9010694°W Lake type Reservoir Primary inflows Tallapoosa River Primary outflows Tallapoosa River Basin countries United States Max. length 31 mi (50 km) Surface area 44,000 acres (18,000 ha) Average depth 41 ft (12 m) Max. depth 150 ft (46 m) Shore length1 743 mi (1,196 km) Settlements Alexander City, Dadeville 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. Lake Martin is located in Tallapoosa, Elmore, and Coosa counties in Alabama. It is a 44,000-acre (178 km²) lake with over 750 miles (1,200 km) of wooded shoreline. An artificial reservoir, Lake Martin was formed by the construction of Martin Dam on the Tallapoosa River. The Martin Dam powerhouse is used to generate hydroelectric power for the Alabama Power Company. Construction was begun in 1923 and completed in 1926, creating what was then the largest man-made body of water in the world. Originally known as Cherokee Bluffs for the geological formation upon which it was built (which recognized the historic indigenous people of the area), the dam was renamed in 1936 in honor of Thomas Martin, the then-president of Alabama Power Company.[1] Alabama Power and Russell Lands own the majority of the shoreline.
One of the largest artificial lakes in the United States, Lake Martin is a popular recreation area for swimming, boating, fishing, water skiing, camping, and golfing. Many waterfront neighborhoods and luxury homes are located on Lake Martin. The cities of Alexander City and Dadeville are located nearby.
Lake Martin hosts many events throughout the year, including fishing tournaments and a giant fireworks show on the Fourth of July to celebrate Independence Day. Also included is the Alexander City Jazz Festival which has hosted such acts as Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, Los Lonely Boys, and Amanda Shaw. This yearly event is hosted every June in downtown Alexander City as well as on Lake Martin at the Lake Martin Amphitheatre.
Lake Martin includes many popular attractions, including several small islands. The lake has several landmarks, such as the Kowaliga Bridge, and several marinas, but perhaps the most recognized landmark on the lake is Chimney Rock, a large rock formation that resembles a chimney. Chimney Rock is located several hundred yards away; the formation which most people call Chimney Rock is Acapulco Rock. The area was the Tallapoosa River gorge before Martin Dam was built, and the water is more than 150 feet (46 m) deep. The spot is visited by thousands of boaters yearly, who park in front of "The Rock" to watch people climb up 60 feet (18 m) and jump off into the water. While many have enjoyed the thrill of jumping from these rock formations, a few jumpers have been seriously injured, paralyzed, or killed after jumping. In July 2006, a teenager died after his jump from the rock.
Lake Martin has become a weekend getaway for many of Birmingham, Montgomery and even Atlanta's elite. Many exclusive multi-million dollar residences are located in the lake; among the most well-known is that of Richard M. Scrushy, the founder and former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HealthSouth Corporation. Built in 1998, together with a guest/boathouse, the residence contains over 15,000 square feet (1,400 m2). HealthSouth bought the home in late 2009 for $7.4 million as part of a $2.8 billion civil judgement against Scrushy for his fraudulent practices at HealthSouth from 1997 until 2003. Many other CEO's from Birmingham and Atlanta have homes on the lake.
Alabama has a lake of a similar name, the Logan Martin Lake on the Coosa River, but Lake Martin and Logan Martin Lake are not part of the same river system.
On April 27, 2011 an EF4 tornado ripped across Lake Martin. Several valuable houses and businesses were completely destroyed along its path. Some vehicles were carried over 100 yards. The tornado resulted in nine deaths across the region. Its path ranged 44.1 miles (71.0 km) until it dissipated.
Contents
Islands on Lake Martin
Small islands are popular spots on Lake Martin:
- Chimney Rock Island - Chimney Rock Island has long been a famous landmark on Lake Martin. Its name came from a tall rock resembling a chimney that protrudes from the top of the island.
- Acapulco Rock Island - Acapulco Rock Island is adjacent to Chimney Rock Island at the Tallapoosa River Gorge. It is often mistaken for Chimney Rock.
- Doctor's Island - So named because a group of doctors used the island as a base camp to fish. Their camp remains but was destroyed by fire a few years ago.
- Goat Island - Goat Island is north of Martin Dam. It has become the residence for a family of goats.
- Graveyard Island - A small county graveyard from before the construction of Martin Dam is located on what is now a tiny island in Lake Martin. About 30 by 30 yards (27 m) around, it is in the Bay Pine area.
- Real Island - Not an island or distinct community, residents named it for "Real Island Road", which runs through it, and a nearby marina. Real Island is a region of Eclectic, Alabama.
- Sand Island - Sand Island is a small island located between Willow Point and Kowaliga Marina. Over the years erosion has taken its toll on the island, but rocks have recently been placed around the island to prevent it from being completed washed away. Boats frequently park on its sandy shallow beach. It is likely the smallest island on the lake.
- Young's Island - The Young residence (of Young's ferry) was here and was destroyed by fire in the early 1990s. The foundation emains and there are historic markers for the graves of the family's children.
- Weed Hill Island - Weed Hill is a small island almost directly across from the Pleasure Point Marina boat ramp. Although at one time it was much larger, erosion has reduced the landmass.
- Wood's Island - Wood's Island is a larger island, connected to the mainland by a land bridge during low water times. It has several trails for hiking. It can be found at the end of Young's Ferry Rd on the West side of the lake.
Events
July 24–July 26, 2009, Lake Martin hosted the "signature event" of AquaPalooza, a multi-location boating event which is billed as the world's largest. The event was headlined by a concert featuring country music singer Alan Jackson.[2]
See also
- List of Alabama dams and reservoirs
References
- "LAKE Magazine • Lake Martin Edition" Owned by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. in Alexander City, AL www.lakemartinmagazine.com
- Lake Martin Living magazine
- Schafer, Elizabeth D. Lake Martin: Alabama's Crown Jewel (2002). Charleston, SC: Arcadia
Notes
- ^ "Lake Martin", Alabama Power Company
- ^ "AquaPalooza 2009 Signature Event". http://www.aquapalooza.com/page.aspx/pageid/8871/page.aspx. Retrieved 2009-07-19.
External links
Categories:- EF4 Tornadoes
- Protected areas of Tallapoosa County, Alabama
- Protected areas of Elmore County, Alabama
- Protected areas of Coosa County, Alabama
- Landmarks in Alabama
- Reservoirs in Alabama
- Properties on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage
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