The Lake Martin Winter Drawdown and Shoreline Work

Every fall Alabama Power lowers Lake Martin from its summer level near 491 feet to 484 feet, and every six years its license calls for an extra drop. For riprap and seawall work, the drawdown is the stretch of the year when the lower bank, the base of an old wall and the lakebed in front of it are out of the water. This page gives Alabama Power's published figures, explains the fall extension and the six-year drawdown, and shows how to line up permits so the work can happen while the lake is down.

Call (256) 667-6569 Request a Quote

A band of exposed red clay and rock below a wooded lake bank in winter, with the water well below a dock — Exposed bank and lakebed below a wooded shoreline at winter water level.

The yearly cycle, in Alabama Power's numbers

Lake Martin water levels

Summer level: "Near 491 feet," Alabama Power's summer operating level
Drawdown starts: September 1, "per its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license," unless the fall extension is in effect
Winter level: 484 feet above mean sea level, with the drawdown "concluding by the third week of November"
The difference: About 7 vertical feet
Refill: For its lakes generally, Alabama Power says "By May, the water levels are raised again"

Seven feet of vertical drop exposes a band of shoreline that is underwater all summer. How wide that band is on your lot depends on how steep your bank and lakebed are: wide on a gently sloping cove, narrow under a steep bank. Weather can change any of these dates. Alabama Power's notices say so, and the lake levels it posts are the ones to go by.

The fall extension

"Lake Martin's license includes a potential conditional fall extension," which, when it's put in place, keeps summer pool into mid-October. Alabama Power says four conditions have to be met, including "precipitation, current lake levels, river and stream flows, and operational conditions." It wasn't implemented in 2024, when the criteria weren't met "due to extreme temperatures and lack of rainfall," or in 2025, when "the lack of sufficient rainfall this September meant we couldn't meet the required criteria."

For planning, the point is that the start of low water can move by weeks from one year to the next. The low point, 484 feet by late November, is the steadier target.

The deeper drawdown every six years

In July 2021, Alabama Power announced that Lake Martin would drop "from its summer operating level near 491 feet to near 481 feet by New Year's Eve" and "remain near 481 feet until Feb. 17, 2022," before slowly rising toward summer pool. It explained that the extra drawdown is "performed every six years" under its FERC license, "to provide residents and property owners more lakebed access for improvements and maintenance," and it urged owners to contact its shoreline permitting offices early and get permits before starting any construction.

When will the next one be? Six years after 2021 and 2022 would point to the winter of 2027 and 2028, but that's arithmetic, not an announcement. We haven't seen Alabama Power confirm the next deeper drawdown. Watch apcshorelines.com for its notice, and if you're planning work that needs the extra three feet, start the permit process as soon as the dates are published.

What low water is good for

Lake Magazine's piece on the drawdown opportunity describes it as the time to "make repairs to seawalls and docks." For shoreline work in particular, the lower lake helps in a few ways:

You can see the damage. Undercutting, slumped riprap, scour at the base of a seawall and washed-out backfill are hidden at 491 feet and visible at 484.
The bottom of the job is reachable. The lowest course of riprap and the toe of a wall can be set and checked with less water in the way.
Toe riprap is easier to measure. Alabama Power's "two feet above the lakebed and two feet out from the bottom of the seawall" is easier to check when the lakebed is dry.
The Corps permit leans toward it. The PGP's general conditions say permittees "are encouraged to perform work within waters of the United States during periods of low-flow or no-flow."

Low water has trade-offs. Equipment that would float in on a barge in summer may have to come over land, and a shallow cove can get too shallow for a loaded barge. Those are questions for the contractor's site visit, not assumptions to make from a calendar.

The full height of an old concrete seawall exposed in winter, with dry lakebed and scattered stones along its base — An old seawall's full height exposed in winter, with dry lakebed along its base.

Is there a season when riprap work isn't allowed?

We found none. Alabama Power's Lake Martin guidelines and the Corps PGPs don't set a closed season for riprap or seawall work; the PGP only encourages in-water work during low flow. The guidelines do say that on a lot identified as a Sensitive Resource Area, "no construction or other potentially disturbing activity may take place unless and until specifically authorized by Alabama Power in writing," so ask whether that applies to your shoreline.

Working backward from November

If you want riprap or a seawall repair done while the lake is at 484 feet, the schedule starts in summer:

Summer: get a site visit. A contractor can measure the shoreline and plan the job at full pool.
Late summer: apply. Alabama Power has said review "can take up to 30 days or more," and a project that needs a Corps verification starts from the same application. Pay the $400 or $200 fee as the guidelines require.
Fall: confirm the drawdown. Check whether the fall extension is in effect, which can push the start of low water later.
Late November into winter: build. With the lake near 484 feet, the lower bank is out of the water.
Before spring: finish and stabilize. Keep erosion controls working, and remember the permit's one-year window to complete the work.

Asking in summer leaves time for the permit review and for fitting the job into the contractor's schedule. See the permits guide for the application itself.

Docks, lifts and boats at low water

A seven-foot drop affects more than the bank. Floating docks ride down, walkways and gangways change angle, and a lift set for summer pool may sit in much shallower water or on the bottom. Alabama Power's 2021 notice asked boaters and owners of water-related equipment to "pay close attention to the changing conditions on the lake, remain mindful of personal safety," and be ready to protect their property. Low water is also the time to look over a dock's floats and frame; see dock repair and boat lifts.

Questions about low water on Lake Martin

How low does Lake Martin go in winter?

In a normal year, to 484 feet above mean sea level by the third week of November, from a summer level near 491 feet. In the deeper drawdown every six years, it went to near 481 feet in 2021 and 2022.

Do I still need a permit if the area is dry?

Yes. Dry lakebed is still lakebed, and Alabama Power's permits page says work in the lakebed could require a permit. Alabama Power's own drawdown notices tell owners to get permits before starting.

When is the next six-year drawdown?

We haven't seen it announced. The last was the winter of 2021 and 2022. Watch Alabama Power's shorelines site for the official dates.

Can I dig out silt in front of my dock while the lake is down?

Not without approval. The guidelines say "Dredging material from the lakebed must be approved by Alabama Power prior to the removal of any material."

Planning work for the low-water months

Call (256) 667-6569 or send a request saying what you'd like done while the water is down and roughly where your lot is. We'll pass it to one independent local contractor who can look at it, give you a written price, and help you put the permit drawing together. The referral costs you nothing.

Sources

Make use of the low water

Call or send a request to reach one independent local contractor on Lake Martin. The referral is free.