Lake
Martin is a 44,000-acre freshwater lake—rimmed with over 750
miles of old growth forest—located in the heart of the
southern Appalachians of East Central Alabama. It is one of
the cleanest and largest man-made lakes in the United
States. It was formed as a result of the construction of
Martin Dam on the Tallapoosa River by the Alabama Power Company in
the early 1920s.
During
the earliest days of reservoir development, the dendritic drainage patterns of numerous
stream channels and
creeks were slowly filled to pool level by the rising
waters from the floor of the ancient
river valley. The waters of the
Tallapoosa River System now bring power to many homes and
businesses throughout the region, while at the same time creating
a vast man-made lake offering home sites and recreational
opportunities to thousands in the Lake Martin Area.
The
lake now serves as a major recreational feature in Alabama. One
of the most popular ways to enjoy the beauty of Lake Martin is to play a round of golf or practice your swing at one
of the many driving ranges in the area. Numerous public, private
and semi-private clubs are available, all featuring scenic
meandering fairways and rolling topography nestled in a rich
wooded setting. Two of the area courses are situated on the
lake.
Lake
Martin is also a regional attraction for swimming, canoeing,
boating, fishing, skiing, camping and tennis enthusiasts of all
ages. Lake Martin—and the one below it, Yates
Lake—are
very well known for fly-fishing for Bluegill Bream, Largemouth
Bass and Stripers. In addition to fly fishing, there is also
excellent trolling, jigging, drifting and live-bait fishing in
Lake Martin, where hefty catches of Bluegill Bream, Kentucky
Spotted Bass, Carp, Blue Catfish, Largemouth Bass and Crappie are
common. The area also offers wet and dry boat storage, docking and
fueling facilities. Numerous full-service marinas are
available for year-round use on the lake.
Lake
Martin is located just two hours by car from Atlanta, Georgia, 90
minutes from Birmingham, Alabama and under an hour from
Montgomery, Alabama. In addition, Auburn, Alabama—home
for the War Eagles of Auburn University—is located
a mere 30-minute drive from the
winding shoreline of this vast surface water feature. The
proximity of Auburn relative to the lake makes for an
easy commute to weekend ball games and other sporting events
throughout the year.
The
area’s cost of living is below the national average and
unemployment has historically been considered low and relatively
stable. These attributes and other featured attractions
mentioned above have traditionally complimented the favorable and
growing economics of the area. Residents in east-central
Alabama know all about the breathtaking scenery,
overwhelming charm and abundance of wildlife, yet the surrounding
communities have somehow kept it a closely-guarded secret to many
outside the area until recently being rated a five-star retirement spot in several prominent sources, including Kiplinger’s
magazine and the Wall Street Journal. Despite the area's increasing
notoriety, Lake Martin will likely remain one of
Alabama's prized natural treasures for many decades to come. It will
most certainly continue to serve as a peaceful recreational area
for those who live here, as well as an occasional weekend "get-a-way" for those subjected
to the daily grind of the hectic metropolitan lifestyle.
