WEISS LAKE FLOODING CONTINUES

The level of Weiss Lake continues to rise and cause more damage around the area. The lake is now at 568 feet four inches which is four feet four inches above the full mark. Alabama Power Shoreline Management spokesperson tells WEIS Radio News, the company is operating by the Army Corp of Engineers manual in an effort to control flooding along the river system. While the lake level is above the flood stage it remains well within the Alabama Power Company’s easement which at the powerhouse is 572 feet, at Bay Springs 573 feet, at Cedar Bluff is 575 feet. The Power Company spokesperson says Weiss Lake is operating like it was designed as a containment lake to help control flooding downstream.

One problem is the amount of rainfall occurring in the Weiss Lake watershed area since December 24th. In Centre the amount has been 5.38 inches with heavier amounts in other locations within the watershed which is 5,273 square miles according to Alabama Power. The Weiss Powerhouse is operating all three generating turbines at maximum capacity along with flood gates open pushing the maximum amount of water downstream without flooding the Gadsden area.

Another problem is the water continues to flow into the lake faster than the Power Company can release it.

Alabama Power Company is predicting the lake to crest Friday afternoon at 569.5 feet. After that time the flood waters should begin to recede providing relief to water weary residents. The National Weather Service Forecast after Thursday is rain free through Tuesday of next week.

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