Media Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Sonny Jones or Darryl Jones

Birmingham Water Works

(205) 244-4409

(205) 244-4404

Birmingham Water Works releasing additional water from

Inland Lake to support maintenance of dam

(BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – December 7, 2012) – Birmingham Water Works Board officials are lowering the water levels in Inland Lake by releasing additional water from Inland Lake Dam.  This is to allow the Board to perform needed maintenance and repairs on the dam. These repairs are likely to take several months to complete and are intended to improve the long-term performance of the dam.

THERE WILL BE NO INTERRUPTION IN WATER SUPPLY TO ANY CUSTOMERS DURING THE COMPLETION OF THIS MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WORK.

The Board is issuing the following advisories:

·         Individuals who own cabins around Inland Lake, as well as the general public, are being advised that boat launch facilities at both ends of the lake will be temporarily closed while this work is being performed.

·         Birmingham Water Works officials expect boat launch closures to last several months.

·         Access to bank fishing is still permitted but is not advised.

·         Quantities of water being released are being managed with the intent to mitigate any adverse effect to residents downstream of Inland Lake.

·         This action is being taken as a prudent and proactive step because recent inspections and monitoring have indicated the need to improve long-term seepage control measures at the dam.  The lowered lake levels will enable the engineers to refine and implement the necessary measures and other planned maintenance/improvements.

·         BWWB will be providing periodic updates during this maintenance exercise.

“Board members have directed staff to work diligently to expedite our maintenance and/or repair efforts and to ensure that there is no negative impact to residents,” says Sonny Jones, assistant general manager of engineering and maintenance.

Inland Lake is a 1,536-acre manmade lake located on the Blackburn Fork of the Little Warrior River in southeastern Blount County.  Inland Lake was created in 1938 as a means of providing an industrial water supply to Birmingham Water Works customers. The lake currently holds more than 20 billion gallons of water when full and serves customers in the northern and eastern parts of the BWWB service area.

The Birmingham Water Works serves 600,000 people in Jefferson, Shelby, Blount, St. Clair and Walker counties. For more information about your Birmingham Water Works Board, please call us at (205) 244-4000 or visit our Web site at www.birminghamwaterworks.com.

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