S TA KE HOLDE R
ALABAMA POWER
Creating Opportunity and Economic Prosperity When hydroelectric plants began to spring up on rivers in Alabama, so did the reservoirs. Water released from the reservoir is washed through a turbine, activating a generator directed toward rural areas. It meant there could be electricity throughout the region, and homes and industries would change forever, and so would the landscape. There are 14 dams along the Coosa, Tallapoosa, and Black Warrior rivers, with 3,500 miles of shoreline. Weiss Lake and its dam was built as part of an Alabama Power Company construction program that further developed the Coosa River in the late 1950s to 1960s. 4
Weiss would go on to encompass 30,200 acres with a vast shoreline of 447 miles with a length of 52 miles. The story of Weiss Lake began as a story of energy, but today it speaks of flood control, economic opportunity, irrigation, and drinking water. In addition to bringing power to light up homes and businesses, the beautiful landscape would take a new form with breathtaking views reflecting mountain ranges on the water’s surface to fish and wildlife habitats. Blending nature’s beauty with resources of the lake has been a success for 60 years. cherokee-chamber.org
