20,000 Trees Under the Lake: Public Safety Matters

摘要

When developing its Neely Henry hydroelectric project in 1962, Alabama Power Company left 172 ha (425 ac) of trees standing in the lake for fish habitat, as required by the project license. Over time, the tree tops broke off at water level and became a public safety matter. With key resource, interest and user groups, the Company developed a mutually agreeable plan to improve public safety while maintaining the quality of the fishery. The FERC approved the plan, which called for cutting the stumps off 2.7 m (9 ft) below normal summer pool level using a specialy built boat on which four hydraulically-powered circular sawmill blades were mounted. After cutting, Alabama Power lowered the take an additional 1.8 m (6 ft) for inspection to ensure that all designated cutting had been completed.