On March 1 of each year, Lake Martin locals (at least some of us) celebrate Plug Day. That is the day that Alabama Power, operating under its license with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), begins the process of filling the lake up to summer pool levels.

This refilling occurs over a two-month period each year to bring the lake from its winter pool level of 484 feet above sea level to the summer level of 491 feet above sea level. The winter level allows Lake Martin to act as a water management reservoir during the rainy season to minimize downstream flooding.

*(content courtesy of russelllands.com)