Life is Better on the Water

STORY BY AMY PASSARETTI PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

Elmore County is home to beautiful waters offering endless opportunities for leisure or competition fun. With access to two lakes, two main rivers and plenty of offshore activities, visitors and residents alike will benefit from the area’s natural resources.

Lake Jordan is smack dab in the middle of the county, connecting Wetumpka and Holtville, and Lake Martin is only a short drive away, with many of its shores touching the county’s communities.

The Tallapoosa River runs along the eastern edge of the county, flowing southwest before joining the Coosa River just south of Wetumpka. The Coosa runs along the northwestern section of the county before eventually joining the Alabama River.

The waters of Elmore County provide an excellent backdrop for recreational activities, including fishing, boating, paddling, swimming and more.

The Coosa Whitewater Festival welcomes paddlers from around the Southeast to compete in various events

Elmore County’s Lake Jordan contains roughly 6,800 acres of water and 118 miles of shoreline. It’s the southernmost reservoir in the chain of lakes along the Coosa River. The average depth of the water is 35 feet with the deepest area totaling 110 feet.

Jordan Dam was built in 1928 to create Lake Jordan and 40 years later, Walter Bouldin Dam was constructed. This structure has the largest generating capacity of Alabama Power’s hydro facilities and is unusual in design, as it was built on a canal.

The lake is most notable for its top-notch fishing and supports high levels of sport fish for anglers of all experiences, as well as forage species. The most common found include the Alabama spotted bass, largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, and black and white crappie. Popular non-game fish include channel catfish, blue catfish and flathead catfish. Primary forage species include both threadfin shad and gizzard shad.

Overall, the status of the fish population in Lake Jordan remains unchanged from the 1980s. According to Outdoor Alabama, the most productive fishing times are the spring and fall.

Two boat ramps offer anglers or those looking to recreate on the water options to access the lake. Bonner’s Point Boat Ramp, located on the west side of the lake, and Rotary Point Boat Ramp on the east are both open to the public for free use.

Completed in 2020, a 60-acre day-use area, Jordan’s Journey, sits on the shores of Lake Jordan, providing public access to the water. Key features of the site include restrooms, two gazebos, four benches, two fishing piers and more than 3.5 miles of trails, which connect to Swayback Bridge Trail.

The trails took roughly three months to build by FlowMotion Trail Builders LLC out of Anniston. They include trailhead and directional markings, as well as interpretative signage throughout the color-coded routes. A pollinator plot is currently under development.

Jordan’s Journey was created as part of Alabama Power’s Preserves initiative, according to Alabama Power Company’s Josh Yerby.

“The Preserves are core to the Alabama Power ideal of merging nature with crafting special places,” he said. “These lands allow people to enjoy, learn and grow a deeper appreciation of our state’s ecology and natural landscape. They allow our citizens to access and enjoy our lakes. They are inclusive and open to all.”

The land is managed and maintained for the enjoyment of residents and visitors by Alabama Power. Hiking, biking and pets are allowed, but camping and four-wheeled vehicles are prohibited. A newly constructed 600-foot-long elevated boardwalk leads parkgoers down to the waters for a scenic view.

For additional seasonal and social activities, look no further than the Lake Jordan Home Owners and Boat Owners. The organization rallies events around the lake, such as the Fourth of July Boat Parade and the Santa and Friends tour during the holidays. The HOBOs play a crucial role in preserving the sanctity of the lake and ensuring it stays clean for all to enjoy.

COOSA RIVER

Beginning at Jordan Dam, the Coosa River’s northern

Coosa River Adventures offers rentals and guided excursions

passage is filled with rock formations and contains Class III rapids at Moccasin’s Gap. For the adventurous, the Coosa offers a 6-mile stretch of twists and turns with several easyto-access drop-in points for kayakers and canoers.

The Coosa River Whitewater Festival shines a spotlight on the river once a year as it draws paddlers from across the Southeast for a two-day event. Coordinated by the Coosa River Paddling Club, the various competitions encourage contestants to show off their skills and compete for King of the Wave.

From March to November, Coosa River Adventures, centrally located in Wetumpka, offers river excursions, complete with transportation to drop-in sites and the necessary supplies for a day trekking through the waves.

Paddlers are sure to spot various species of birds and other wildlife while enjoying the scenic views.

The Coosa divides the historic district of downtown Wetumpka from its residential side and joins the Tallapoosa River.

TALLAPOOSA RIVER

At the site of historic Fort Toulouse, the Tallapoosa and Coosa rivers converge to ultimately form the Alabama River.

The Tallapoosa gets its name from the people who lived along the lower stretch of it in the 18th century. The river’s Alabama portion (it begins in Georgia) has been designated a part of the Alabama Scenic River Trail.

As the Tallapoosa passes through lakes Martin and Yates, it flows over the fall line. As it flows through Thurlow Dam, the river contains Class V rapids from the hydroelectric generation. While there are a few bumpy, more daring areas, the river is mostly home to quiet, scenic views. Anglers can enjoy a variety of fishing, and those looking to kick back and relax can float down the river in peace.

YATES LAKE

Also known as the middle pond, Yates Lake impounds the Tallapoosa River near Tallassee between the Martin and Thurlow reservoirs. The 1,980-acre lake was created in 1928 by Alabama Power, which has also constructed two boat ramps to serve the area. The largest sits in the middle of Yates on the west bank, and a smaller ramp services the upper end. The Land Division of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources also maintains a ramp on the Coon Creek Tract.

Yates Lake offers quality crappie fishing, especially in the spring, and striped bass, white bass, channel catfish, blue catfish and flathead catfish also attract anglers to this body of water.

Yates Dam spills directly into the 585-acre Thurlow reservior also known as Lake Tallassee. The reservoir divides the City of Tallassee into two parts, one in Tallapoosa County and the other in Elmore County.

LAKE MARTIN

Upriver from Tallassee is Lake Martin, a 44-150-acre lake with substantial shoreline in Elmore County. With lakeside restaurants, endless events and plenty of wide-open water for activities, Lake Martin is a popular attraction.

Developed in the 1920s with the construction of Martin Dam, Lake Martin highlights multi-million-dollar lake houses along its 880 miles of shoreline.

Dozens of islands throughout the lake offer opportunities to tie up, relax and take a dip. For the active, Lake Martin features plenty of businesses offering lessons in wakeboarding, wakesurfing, water skiing, sailing and flyboarding. Anyone looking to take in the sport without participating can watch the action from the sidelines.

Popular attractions include Peanut Point, where visitors can boat right up and snag some freshly boiled peanuts; Chimney Rock, where the most daring take a dangerous plunge from high elevations; and Big Beach, where every day is a party.

Fishing is abundant on Lake Martin, which welcomes dozens of bass fishing tournaments yearly, as well as plenty of opportunities to venture out and see what’s biting. Multiple fishing guides are available for anyone looking for some guidance on the where and how to fish on the lake. Popular species sought by anglers include largemouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, white bass, black crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, bluegill and redear sunfish.

On all of these bodies of water, Alabama residents must obtain valid boaters’ licenses to operate vessels, along with obtaining proper boat registration and following safety rules. For information about the needed certifications and licensing, call Marine Patrol headquarters at 800-272-7930. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Marine Patrol monitors activities on the lake 24/7 to promote safety and responsibility along the waterways.

The lakes and rivers in Elmore County are a hot bed for anglers