LOGAN MARTIN LAKE – Lake users should take safety precautions due to flood conditions, and also be considerate of lake residents’ property.“Slow down on the lake,” said Raymond Webster, patrol officer with the Alabama Marine Police.
Webster said flood conditions create certain dangers on the lake, including floating debris such as timber and lumber that could be hit with a boat.
“Hitting submerged timber or lumber can damage the boat or eject the person from the boat if they are going fast,” he said.
Webster said boaters are advised to stay away from shorelines and wear personal floatation devices.
“The water is up, but it is muddy so they might not see submerged piers just under the water,” he said.
Webster said boaters should also watch their wakes, and idle speed through sloughs to hold the wakes down.
“If the water is high and up in people’s yards, the wakes could wash away property such as benches that people have in their yards,” he said. “And if the residence is close to the water, it (the wake) could wash water up into the residence.”
Logan Martin Lake resident Charles Roach agreed.
“We have seen two fishing boats flying in and out with the flooded waters,” Roach said.
Roach lives on the water between Stemley Bridge and Logan Martin Dam in South Cove.
“Usually people coming in here to fish use trolling motors,” he said. “But some bass tournament fishers, you can hear them talking on their cell phones then they crank the motors and are gone (to find a better fishing spot).”
Roach said when the boaters don’t idle through the nearby slough, it creates wakes that damage local residents’ property.
“We are trying to look after them (the boaters), too,” he said. “They can’t see under the water and could tear up their boats. And there is a railroad bed underwater. Some don’t know about it, and they are not taking proper precautions.”
Roach said the wakes also increase the cleanup by washing debris up into residents’ yards.
“I’ve got a telephone pole and some other logs up in my yard,” he said.
Webster said they have seen a lot of floating piers, logs, timber, and items that come off piers such as lawn chairs and furniture.
“You would be surprised at what we see floating down the lake,” he said. “We have also been seeing a lot of propane tanks in the water.”
Webster said the Alabama Marine Police have received numerous calls from individuals reporting lost or found boats and piers.
“We are still trying to match boats with their owners,” he said. “We have matched at least 10 boats with their owners so far.”
Webster said they have received calls about lost piers as well, including one individual who is missing a two-story pier.
“We appreciate residents tying up the loose boats,” he said. “We ask that they continue securing any floating boats or piers and call us to let us know so we can match up the owner with their lost property.”
Webster said he has not heard of any reports or injuries or reptiles such as snakes floating around.
“Snakes are a worry in summer months, especially during flood conditions,” he said. “It is not usually as much of a problem (during the winter) due to cold weather, but individuals should still be careful.”
To report a lost or found boat, pier or other water craft, or to report unsafe boat driving (get boat number and/or description of both boat and driver), call the Alabama Marine Police at 1-800-499-1667.
