Lake levels to be lowered

For the first time in more than a decade, Alabama Power will lower the water level at Neely Henry Lake in October to allow residents to work on piers and seawalls.  The company announced the plan this week and encouraged residents on the lake in Calhoun, St. Clair and Etowah counties to apply early for lakeshore use permits for construction projects during a two-week window in the fall.  Jacki-Lyn Thacker, a spokeswoman with Alabama Power said they will be lowering the levels by about four feet, so that’s a good amount of lake bed that residents will have access to.  It will give residents a chance to get in and do construction projects or fix piers and docks they own.  Thacker said the exact dates of lowering the water levels are still to be determined, and will be affected by weather. The company hopes to gradually begin lowering the water level the first week of October, and give residents two weeks to complete any project they have.  Because permits can take several weeks to process, Thacker said, Alabama Power has urged residents to apply now to make sure they will be approved in time for the two-week window. Thacker said the purpose of lakeshore projects is to enhance the aesthetics around the lake as well as address any environmental issues.