Exploring Our Living Streams Workshop to be held at Camp McDowell

Click here for printable flyer.

Water Testing Workshops to Be Held in January near Curry

Water Watch volunteer prepares bacteriological sample.

Water testing workshops will be offered on January 15-16, 2016, near Curry, at the Smith Lake Civic Association Building.  The Friday, January 15, training will be for Water Chemistry Training, and the Saturday, January 16, training will focus on Bacteriological Water Testing.  You can register online by clicking on the link below.

http://www.alabamawaterwatch.org/training-workshops/

These training classes will be taught by Alabama Water Watch.

Minutes of Annual Meeting 4.24.15

Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy, Inc.
Minutes of the Annual Public Meeting
April 24, 2015   7:00 pm
Traders & Farmers Bank, Arley, Alabama



The meeting was called to order by Judy Lambert.  Jim Eason led the Pledge of Allegiance and Judy Lambert gave the Invocation.  Those in attendance are listed following these minutes. 

The special guests in attendance were as follows and were introduced:
        Tim Wadsworth, Delegate of Winston County
        Ed Poolos, ADEM
        Steve Fletcher, Alabama Power Shoreline Management
        Melinda Weaver, Ala. Power Business Office Manager, Haleyville
        John Kulbitskas, Smith Lake Civic Association

Ray Durham began the election of officers by introducing each candidate and asked for nominations from the floor. With no nominations from the floor, he asked for a hand vote for each candidate.  The following officers and directors were elected unanimously:
        Jim Eason, President
        Kenny Kilpatrick, Vice President
        Lu Cruce, Secretary
        Judy Lambert, Treasurer
Directors:  LaVerne Matheson, David Brown, Sammy Boggan, Paul Gillette, Dex Young, Ray Durham, and Lee McKibben.

Jim Eason took the floor and announced that LaVerne Matheson and David Brown were both absent due to health issues.  He asked that we pray for LaVerne to respond to his treatment and David to recover from surgery.  He then introduced Allison Cochran of the  Bankhead National Forest who did an overview of the Forest Recreational Activities opportunities.  After a very informative presentation Allison took questions from the floor.

Ray Durham reviewed the 2014 clean-ups and spoke of the need for more help for our June 17thand 18th [cleanups] with the Forestry Service.  Ray also spoke of the Water Watch program and asked for volunteers to see him at the end of the meeting to sign up for training.

Jim explained and help up the [anti-litter] signs that will be put up in many areas and on bridges this summer.  He explained how important it is to have a garbage can or bag aboard your vessel or be fined for not having it.

He told the people to get their neighbors involved and showed them our Membership Application and the information about our group.  Door prizes were drawn and refreshments followed.  With the Board meeting for May to be determined on the availability of the room, the meeting was adjourned.

Sincerely,
Judy Lambert



[Approved May 5, 2015, with addition of names of elected Directors.  Retyped by Lu Cruce May 12, 2015 to add names.]

Another Successful Smith Lake Clean-up

Today the Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy, Inc and Alabama Power Company held another successful Renew Our Rivers Lake Clean-up on Smith Lake in Winston County.  Today's clean-up was focused on Sipsey Fork near Lakeshore.  We filled a construction dumpster full of litter and white-beaded foam.

A special thanks to all of the VOLUNTEERS who came out today and helped keep our beautiful lake clean!  Special thanks to our sponsors including Hyche, LLC for providing the dumpster, Dan Hogan and Free State Boat Docks for unloading the trash and providing a site, Lake Shore Inn and Marina for providing a launch site and Tom Snoddy, Assign-A-Highway and Winston County Commission for providing extra assistance!  We appreciate all volunteers and sponsors who help make these efforts possible.

The following businesses and organizations sponsored the Summer and Fall 2014 Renew Our Rivers Clean-ups in Winston County.
Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy, Inc.
Alabama Power Company
Bankhead National Forest
Smith Lake Civic Association, Walker County
Arley Coffee Shop
Traditions Bank
Williams Grocery
La Plaza Bonita
Latitude Hair and Nail Salon
Gateway Foodland - Curry
Talk of the Town
Mudd Puddlers Pottery
Clark Gas - Addison
Powell Building Supply
Lakeshore Inn and Marina
Addison Quick Stop
Addison Discount Pharmacy
Werner's Trading Company
Hyche LLC
King Quality Boat Docks
Rock Creek Marina
Williams Hardware
Wood Studio

THANK YOU ALL!

Fall Clean-up October 11-12

Dear Winston County Smith Lake Advocates and Friends of Smith Lake 

Just a reminder of our Fall Clean-up Friday Oct.11 and Sat Oct. 12th.We are meeting at Jim Kings Boat House Manufacturing facility on Rock Creek, about one mile north of Rock Creek Marina. at 8:00am . Also Mary Ann Crunk will be giving out Alabama Renew Our Rivers waste bags at the Arley Library between 8:00 and 9:00am on Friday the 11th. for those who would like to clean up their own water front/lake neighborhood. Bring your own lunch and wear proper foot wear and join us on the Lake.  If you have any questions call me, David Brown at 256-747-2109.  See You There

Renew Our Rivers Lake Clean-up June 19 & 20

Please join us for a Renew Our Rivers Clean-up on Smith Lake on June 19 & 20.  The Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy, Alabama Power Company and Bankhead National Forest are sponsoring a clean-up around the Yellow Creek Area (Yellow Creek, Sipsey and Brushy) to target trash created and deposited in the lake from this year's wind storms.  We will meet at 9 AM at the Old Yellow Creek Marina at the END of County Road 61 in Houston.  Bring lunch, water and sunscreen.  Special thanks to Carl Godsey for hosting the clean-up and Hyche LLC for providing the dumpster.

Contacts
Allison Cochran, 205-489-5111
David Brown, 256-747-2109

October 5th & 6th cleanup

4 attachments — Download all attachments View all images IMG_0710.JPG 1482K View Download DSCN0452.JPG 3064K View Download DSCN0442.JPG 3519K View Download DSCN0446.JPG 3513K View Download LaVerne Matheson lmatheson2867@gmail.com Lake Clean Up Inbox x David Brown wcslainc@gmail.com 9:48 AM (23 hours ago) to Aaron, Adam, Pat, Maike, Allan, Allison, Ann, Ann, George, Arley, Linda, Austin, Barbara, Larry, James, Mickey, Barry, Bart, Joe, Terry, Vesta, Beth, Beth, Bill, Bill Dear: WCSLAINC Members, Stakeholders and Sponsors Just a quick note on our lake cleanup held October 5th and 6th. The cleanup was, in my opinion a great success. We had 33 volunteers participate and were able to cover Rock Creek from Sway Back Bridge south all the way to Rock Creek Marina. Additionally White Oak, Little Crooked and most of Crooked Creek was cleaned. We removed some beaded styrofoam and several hundred bags of debris such as glass and plastic bottles, tires, deflated towables, etc. We would like to thank the following people, company's and groups for assisting us in this endeavor; Tarrie and Jeff Hyche owners of Hyche LLC for providing two large dumpsters, The Winston County Sheriff Department and Sheriff Rick Harris for providing six work release inmates on Sat. Oct. 6th. Jim King of King Boat Docks for providing his property for a dumpster location and central meeting place. Alabama Power for providing bags, grabbers and especially Donnie Cagle for coordinating with Winston County Sheriffs Department. Jim Eason for providing a large trailer used on Crooked Creek. Also thank you to Cullman Electric Co-op, Werners Trading Company, Vann's Sporting Goods and Rock Creek Marina for cash and gift cards. Thanks also to the Northwest Alabamian Newspaper for sending a reporter and writing a great feature on us. When you are on Smith Lake and marvel at its beauty and pristine quality be aware that it does not self cleanse, every plastic bottle, styrofoam cooler, glass bottle etc. that makes it way into the lake will be there for decades to come if not for the selfless volunteers that take time out from their busy lives to help. To all the volunteers -- Once Again Thank You. David Brown President WCSLAINC LaVerne LaVerne Matheson lmatheson2867@gmail.com

slough clean-up

Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Inc. Slough Cleanup this week Friday 5 and Saturday 6 Time: 8:00 A.M. to 2 P.M. Location: Rock, Crooked , Little Crooked Creeks and White Oak Dumpsters @ 3 locations Bags Furnished for slough cleanup NEEDED: boats and volunteers more info Call Meeting Area: Jim Kings Boat House Builder CO. RD. 222 David Brown 256-747-2109 or Sammy Boggan 205-215-4401

Rain Barrel Workshop to be held in Haleyville

Construct a 50-gallon rain barrel; and learn how to install and maintain it for only $10.  A Rain Barrel Workshop will be held Tuesday, August 14, 2012,  from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Alabama Center for Advanced Woodworking Technology in Haleyville.  Please call Winston County Extension office at 205 489-5376 for registration information.  See the complete flyer at:

http://tinyurl.com/75vdwfq

July 30 - ADCNR Public Meeting to Discuss Bass Populations in Smith Lake

The Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (ADCNR) will hold a public meeting on Monday, July 30 to discuss the status of bass populations in Smith Lake, bass management goals and regulations, and the possible use of tournament exemptions for harvest restrictions.  The meeting will be Monday, July 30 at 6:30 PM in Jasper at the Activity Room of the Community Health Systems Building.  The address is 204 19th Street East.  For directions, call the Walker County Chamber of Commerce at 205-384-4571.  For more information on the meeting, contact the ADCNR at 205-339-5716.

Partners continue to "Renew Our Rivers" on Smith Lake

Twenty-nine individuals joined forces at Houston Recreation Area this week to continue the "Renew Our Rivers" effort to clean-up Alabama's waterways.  Staff and volunteers from Alabama Power Company, Bankhead National Forest, and Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy, Inc removed litter from sloughs on Smith Lake as part of Renew Our Rivers.  Three barges and a bass boat worked together to fill two construction dumpsters full of bottles, cans, noodles, rafts, fishing tackle, propane bottles, grills, and small chunks of foam floating in and along the shoreline.  Special recognition goes to Hyche LLC of Addison for donating the dumpsters and removing the litter.

The partnership to clean up Smith Lake in Winston County began in 2006 with Alabama Power Company, Bankhead National Forest, Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy, Inc and the Winston County Commission.  Since that time, an estimated 672 tons of trash have been removed from Smith Lake in Winston County by the partner organizations.   Renew Our Rivers is the southeast's largest organized river clean-up.

BLACK WARRIOR RIVER BASIN

STATE OF THE WATERSHED CONFERENCE

August 1, 2012

Registration - 8:30am 8:55am

Conference 9:00am- 4:45pm

North River Yacht Club

3100 Yacht Club Way NE

Tuscaloosa, AL  35406

 Please make plans to attend the first State of the Watershed Conference for the Black Warrior River Basin.  A full day of information about the Black Warrior River will include:

• Recently completed or on-going studies
• Completed or on-going, on-the-ground projects
• Special places, AND

• Water Policy in Alabama

 Registration fee is $20 per person to cover lunch costs.  On-line registration is available at http://www.cleanwaterpartnership.org/.  (See Upcoming Events on the right side of the web page.)  A draft agenda is attached for your consideration.
 SPONSORED BY:
Westervelt Ecological Services LLC 
 If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Kellie Johnston, Black Warrior CWP Facilitator at (205) 623-0147 (email: warriorcwp@hotmail.com).

Boaters Day

Saturday May 5th 10:00 A.M to 12:00 A.M. Duncan Bridge Marina Florida Marine Police: to discuss current boating Laws and Regulations Maybe you just have a particular question you need an answer for. This will be the place and time to acquire an answer to your question. The Smith Lake Coast Guard Flotilla will also be there to talk with you about any problems or inspect your boat; to be sure everything is ready for this summer’s fun. INSPECTION OF YOUR BOAT IS FREE!!!!! Saturday May 12th. 10:00 A.M to 12:00 A.M Church on the Lake ( Next to Rock Creek Marina) Florida Marine Police: to discuss current boating Laws and Regulations Maybe you just have a particular question you need an answer for. This will be the place and time to acquire an answer to your question. The Smith Lake Coast Guard Flotilla will also be there to talk with you about any problems or inspect your boat; to be sure everything is ready for this summer’s fun. INSPECTION OF YOUR BOAT IS FREE!!!!!

WCSLAI recognized Nationally by the Forest Service with Rise to the Future Award

Forest Service News Release

Bankhead National Forest and Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Group Recognized Nationally

(Double Springs, Ala.) April 18, 2012 --- The U.S. Forest Service’s Bankhead Ranger District and longtime partner, Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Group, were recently honored at a national ceremony in Washington, D.C. for their dedication to ensure the water quality of Lewis Smith Lake is protected and preserved. Numerous volunteers and Forest Service employees earned the Rise to the Future award – the Forest Service highest honor for exemplary aquatic stewardship.
Since 2007, the Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Group has collaborated with the Bankhead National Forest in sponsoring lake shore clean-up events as part of the Alabama Power Company’s ‘Renew Our Rivers’ campaign. According to Elrand Denson, Bankhead district ranger, the Winston County ‘Renew Our Rivers’ clean-up events have removed approximately 180 tons of litter including styrofoam, appliances, tires, boating accessories and fishing tackle from Lewis Smith Lake shorelines in Winston County and the Bankhead National Forest.
“The coalition of partners have worked together tirelessly to remove trash from the shorelines on over 166 river miles in Winston County. The Forest Service commends our partners for taking on a community project to improve Alabama’s abundant natural resources” said Allison Cochran, Bankhead National Forest’s wildlife biologist. Such removal of litter not only beautifies the lake, but also prevents harm to wildlife animals and plants. It helps decontaminate the waterways and assists in preventing bushfires that damage natural areas.
“The partnership with the Bankhead Ranger District is allowing us to clean up the lake for future generations to enjoy,” said LaVerne Matheson, President of the Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy. “Now we have a beautiful lake with water so blue it sparkles like diamonds at times.”
Originally, the partnership began as a small community cleanup that has now evolved into a large-scale grassroots project with hundreds of volunteers and supporters, including the Winston County Commission, Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association, Cradle of Forestry in America Interpretive Association, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, local businesses, lake residents and visitors.
To learn more about or to volunteer with the Winston County ‘Renew Our Rivers’ campaign, please contact Allison Cochran at (205) 489-5111. To join the Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy, Inc and learn more about their projects in Winston County, please contact LaVerne Matheson at (256) 747-4422.
The Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Group is a 501(c)(3) organization. Its mission is to preserve and protect the environmental quality of Lewis Smith Lake and its tributaries through education of the public and promotion and implementation of sound environmental practices.
William B. Bankhead National Forest is one of Alabama’s four national forests managed by the USDA Forest Service. Its mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Motto: Caring for the land and serving people.

board meeting

Tuesday, March 13 @ 10:00 AM Traders and Farmers Bank in Arley

Discuss our public meeting April 13th @ Traders and Farmers Bank in Arley
Time 6:30 PM,
snacks and drinks,
program
Have pictures constantly running on screen, showing our accomplishments


discuss :
Saturday morning May 5th @ Duncan Bridge Marina 10AM to 12 AM
Saturday morning May 12th @ Rock Creek Church on the Lake 10 AM to 12 AM
For boaters to meet with Marine patrol officers to answer any questions a boater may have about regulations for boaters or other questions. The Coast Guard flottila will also be there to explain to the boaters how and what they can do to help a boat owner.

Many more projects to discuss at our board meeting March 13th. Our board meetings op en to the public. Do you have a problem or question on the lake. Lets discuss it at our board meeting. See you on the 13th.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS in 2011

April: Slough clean-up from Duncan Bridge /Rock Creek cancelled week-end of tornadoes. No power/Gas.
May: Our public meeting was at Lakeshore Marina and Inn. Alabama Water Watch gave a program, then election of Officers and Directors, one new director, Gloria Drinkard, replacing Larry, who requested replacement.
May: Contacted Corp of Engineers about large slide-in on Rock Creek.
June: Clean-up Duncan Bridge North and we used Bankhead’s Houston Recreational area for the take out of debris plus our picnic Saturday afternoon.
July: I met Casey Ehorn, project mgr. for Corp of Eng. and Pamela McDaniels, P.E for Al. Power , in Arley. Then we inspected the large slide-in on Rock Creek. Corp of Engineers can not help us.
SEPT: 2nd clean-up Duncan Bridge north and we Used Old Yellow Creek Marina site. All loose Styrofoam found north of Duncan Bridge removed.
Sept: Distributed approx. 1400 of Al. Power coloring books, a coloring book for every student from K thru 3rd grade in Winston County Schools.
OCT: class on importance of watersheds and water testing at the fawn program. This was for all 6th grade students in Winston County Schools.
Oct: Gave Civitians $500.00 to assist in Placement of Historical Sign in front of Meek Elementary School.
NOV: 2nd bacteria blitz on the lake. !st bacteria blitz was in April. There were a few test sites with above average bacteria count. 50 plus sites tested each time.
NOV: Signage on all named creeks/sloughs on a lake map of Smith Lake, in Winston County, will have a sign at it’s mouth with it’s name for boaters to see.
DEC: Rock Creek Watershed Management Plan meeting. The grant money allotted for this plan has already been allocated to interested property owners
Living in the Rock Creek Watershed who intend to improve a problem on their property, which will improve the waters of Rock Creek Watershed and Smith Lake.
There were 3 private clean-ups from the head waters of Rock and Crooked Creeks to Duncan Bridge and 1 clean-up on Brushy and Yellow Creeks.
Advocacy had a busy year with 15 sites tested every month, plus everything else we have accomplished this year, there is still much more to do,
but doesn’t the lake just look great.
Board meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10:00 AM in Arley at the Traders and Farmers Bank.Public is always welcome, come tell us what is happening on your little bit of paradise, on Smith Lake.

Rock Creek Watershed Project Meeting on December 6th

Please join the Rock Creek Stakeholder Group for the upcoming Rock Creek Watershed Management Project meeting on Tuesday, December 6th at 6pm in Addison, Alabama at the Community Center. We will be discussing recent project activities and will also plan activities for 2012.

For more information please contact Mona S. Dominguez by email srs0013@auburn.edu or call (334) 844-9323.

WCSLAI Nov. Board meeting

Tuesday morning Nov. 8th 10:00 AM @ Traders and Farmers Bank, Arley

MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
November 8th board meeting

Reading of the minutes , Mary Ann
Watertesting , Mary Ann
Report on signage , Burt
Report on Fawn program , ?
Distribution of coloring books , Comments
Progress of Rock Creek Watershed Management Project , LaVerne
Brushy Creek clean-up , Burt
Rock Creek proposed clean-up , LaVerne
Xmasparty , comments
Suggested Project for spring 2012
1-Schedule meeting for John Mark Williams to explain rules and regulations for all boaters
2- Invite Smith Lake Coast Guard Flotilla to attend this meeting explain their importance on the lake.

We have our own projector, equipment I think we need to be using this equipment showing various organizations who we are, what our mission is, what we have accomplished, future projects etc.
Other new business
No meeting in December, just xmas party
Adjourn.

US Forest Service and Alabama Power Company install fish habitat structures in Smith Lake

Alabama Power Company and Bankhead National Forest partnered again this year to improve fish habitat in Smith Lake and to improve sport fishing opportunities and angler success at Forest Service recreation areas.

Forest Service and Alabama Power Company employees utilize bundles of recycled Christmas trees and/or bamboo bucket structures to construct sunken fish habitat structures. The Alabama Power Company records the locations of the structures and produces a map to aid sport fishers in finding the structures. The structures provide habitat for small fish, which in turn will attract larger sport fish, such as bass and crappie. Twenty-five structures were installed at four sites near the Corinth Recreation Area. Fifty structures were installed at the Clear Creek Recreation Area.

To see the locations where the fish structures were placed, visit the Alabama Power Company's website at www.alabamapower.com/fishdata.

BOARD MEETING

Tuesday September 13th will be our next board meeting. There will be many things to discuss.Progress on signage being installed on all named tributaries, creeks, sloughs, etc. total 33. Fawn progam in October.
Start-up of the Rock Creek Watershed Management Plan. Discussion of future clean-ups. Coloring books for schools. Report on monthly water testing program on the lake in Winston County. Much more.
Advocacy board meetings are open to the public. If you need to know what we are working on, or if you have information about something on the lake, that we should know about, please come and tell us about it!!!
When: 10:00 AM, Tuesday, September 13th, @ Farmers and Traders Bank in Arley.