Lake Martin

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Lake Martin
Lake Martin - Acapulco Rock and Chimney Rock at the lake
Acapulco Rock and Chimney Rock at the lake
Location Alabama
Coordinates 32°45′59.37″N, 85°54′3.85″WCoordinates: 32°45′59.37″N, 85°54′3.85″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 (178 km²)
Average depth 41 ft (12.50 m)
Max. depth 150 ft (47.24 m)
Shore length1 743 mi (1,196 km)
Settlements Alexander City, Dadeville
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.
For other lakes named Martin, see Martin Lake.

Lake Martin is located in Tallapoosa County, Elmore County, and Coosa County in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is a 44,000 acre (178 km²) lake with over 750 miles (1,200 km) of wooded shoreline. Lake Martin was formed after the completion of Martin Dam on the Tallapoosa River. Martin Dam is used to generate hydroelectric power for Alabama Power. The dam was begun in 1923 and completed in 1926. After completion, the lake was the largest man-made lake in the world.

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, Amanda Shaw and Tishamingo. 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, Willow Point Country Club, with a golf course, and several marinas, but perhaps the most recognized landmark on the lake is Chimney Rock, a large rock formation that resembles a chimney. The actual Chimney Rock is located several hundred yards away, and the name for the rock 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.

The state of Alabama has a lake of a similar name, Logan Martin Lake, but Lake Martin and Logan Martin Lake are not the same.

Contents

[edit] Islands on Lake Martin

Small islands are popular spots on Lake Martin:

  • Chimney Rock Island - Chimney Rock Island has always been a famous landmark on Lake Martin. It got its name from a rock that protrudes from the top of the island that resembles a chimney.
  • Acapulco Rock Island - Acapulco Rock Island is right 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 nestled north of Martin Dam. It has become the residence for a family of goats.
  • Graveyard Island - A small county graveyard from before the Martin Dam is now a tiny island in Lake Martin. Only about 30 by 30 yards (27 m) around. It is in the Bay Pine area.
  • 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. Boats frequently park on its sandy shallow beach.
  • Young's Island - The Young residence (of Young's ferry) was here. Destroyed by fire in the early 1990s. Foundation still remains and graves of the children can be found.
  • 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 continues to shrink the landmass.
  • Wood's Island - Wood's Island is a larger Island that has a land bridge during low water times. It is an excellent island for hiking with several trails. It can be found at the end of Young's Ferry Rd on the West side of the lake.

[edit] 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

[edit] See also

[edit] External links