Logan Martin Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Logan Martin Lake |
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Logan Martin Dam
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 Logan Martin Lake
Location in Alabama
Logan Martin Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Calhoun / St. Clair / Talladega counties, Alabama, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 33°27′0″N 86°19′10″W / 33.45000°N 86.31944°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 48.5 mi (78.1 km) |
| Surface area | 17,000 acres (69 km2) |
| Max. depth | 110 ft (34 m) |
| Shore length1 | 275 mi (443 km) |
| Islands | Several small island; One private island owned by The Yacht Club on Lake Logan Martin |
| Settlements | Pell City |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Logan Martin Lake is a large, human-made lake in east-central Alabama. It's a reservoir, which means it's a lake created by building a dam across a river. This lake is located on the Coosa River, about 30 miles (48 km) east of the city of Birmingham, Alabama.
The Alabama Power Company built Logan Martin Lake in 1965. It covers about 17,000 acres (69 km²) and has a long shoreline of 275 miles (443 km). Locals often call it the "Lake of a Thousand Coves" because of its many winding inlets. The lake stretches for 48.5 miles (78.1 km) between two dams: Logan Martin Dam to the south and Neely Henry Dam to the north. Its depth can range from 35 to 110 feet (11 to 34 m).
The lake touches the edges of St. Clair and Talladega counties. It's important not to confuse Logan Martin Lake with Lake Martin, which is on a different river system in Alabama.
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How Logan Martin Lake Works
Logan Martin Lake starts where the water flows out from Neely Henry Dam. This is near a place called Ohatchee, Alabama. The lake then flows south towards Logan Martin Dam, which is close to Vincent, Alabama. The main source of water for the lake is the Coosa River. Many smaller streams and rivers also feed into it.
The water in Logan Martin Lake generally flows from north to south. The Coosa River begins in the Appalachian Mountains. Eventually, the water from Logan Martin Lake travels through the Alabama River and Mobile River. It finally reaches Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. In its upper parts, the lake mostly follows the original path of the Coosa River. As you get closer to Logan Martin Dam, the lake becomes much wider. It has large open areas and many medium to large creeks. The deepest part of the lake, near the dam, is about 69 feet (21 m).
The Land Around the Lake
Logan Martin Lake is in a region of Alabama called the Northern Piedmont physiographic province. This area has gentle, low hills that are part of the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains. The ground beneath the lake is made up of ancient rocks from a time called the Ordovician period.
Amazing Wildlife in the Lake
Logan Martin Lake is home to many kinds of aquatic animals, especially fish. Fishing is a very popular activity here. Many local and national fishing tournaments are held on the lake every year. It has even hosted big championship events like the Bassmaster Classic several times.
You can find many types of bass in the lake, including largemouth and spotted bass. Other fish include striped bass, white bass, hybrid bass, crappie, catfish, bream, drum, carp, and gar. Sometimes, lakes can have tiny bits of pollution that make some fish not safe to eat. Scientists work hard to keep the lake healthy for everyone.
A Look Back in History
For a long time, the Coosa River was used by steamships to travel as far north as Rome, Georgia. There were many locks built to help boats pass over rocky areas in the river. Later, roads and railroads became more common than steamships.
The spot where Lock 7 was planned became the perfect place for a large dam. This dam would create electricity, help control floods, and offer fun activities. Construction on Logan Martin Dam began on July 18, 1960. It started working on August 10, 1964. The dam is named after William Logan Martin, Jr.. He was a judge and Attorney General in Alabama in the early 1900s.
How the Lake Helps the Economy
Logan Martin Lake brings a lot of money to the towns around it each year. This comes from things like higher property values for homes near the lake. Visitors who come to the lake for fun also spend money at local businesses. The dam also provides low-cost electricity for the state.
Because it's close to the big city of Birmingham, many people visit the lake. It's a very popular spot for recreational boating during the summer. People also enjoy water skiing and swimming. Most of the boat traffic happens between the I-20 bridge and Logan Martin Dam. The busiest areas are usually the more open waters near Logan Martin Dam.
