STAFF REPORTS

CENTRE — As regional coordinator for Corporate Real Estate for Alabama Power Co., it is Tommy Miller's job to manage the 447 miles of shoreline around Weiss Lake. That works out to about 30,000 acres of reservoir, along with another 17,500 acres of flood easement, all of which is owned by Alabama Power.

"Back in the 1950's and '60's Alabama Power purchased the property rights," Miller said. "This was according to the engineering designs that would allow the company to construct, operate and maintain Weiss Dam and Lake for the production of hydroelectric power."

Miller, a Cherokee County native who grew up in Gaylesville, said anytime a project like Weiss Lake is undertaken, there's an attraction by the public to recreate on the lake and the surrounding shoreline. In additional to day-trippers who fish and picnic, plenty of people decide lakefront homes, campers and other dwellings will enhance their recreation.

Miller's job is to ensure all the low-lying land surrounding the lake is totally clear of any man-made structures that could displace water during a flood. Miller said whenever waters rise any enclosed shed, garage or dwelling that isn't where it's supposed to be can prohibit rising waters from staying within the boundaries of the easement, sending it somewhere it isn't supposed to go.

“Maybe covering someone else's property,” Miller said. “And when you add up all the structures we have in the easement that shouldn't be there, that's a lot of water that could end up in a place other than where Alabama Power intended.”

Alabama Power has had formal shoreline usage guidelines in place for over 15 years, but never a full-time office to enforce them until now. Miller said recent growth in the area, the rise in the number of weekend cabins that are being replaced by elaborate homes, and increased use of the flood easement by campers all led to the decision to place an office in Cherokee County.

"As pressure has increased for recreation and available properties have become more scarce, Alabama Power has seen increased need to have people more available to its lake customers," Miller said. "

Miller said anyone with questions about the flood easement and their property can call his office at 256-927-2597.