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Lake Information for Thurlow Reservoir
Alabama Power Company plans to lower Thurlow reservoir during the week of November 17-21, 2008, to inspect the flashboard gates and re-seal joints as may be needed. This is a minor maintenance activity. There are no known deficiencies in the condition or operation of the flashboard gates at this time. Because the inspection involves temporarily lowering Thurlow reservoir, Alabama Power Company has consulted with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to help determine an appropriate schedule for this work. Following is the tentative schedule:
Monday thru Wednesday (November 17 - 19) Thurlow forebay will be drawn down from elevation 288' MD (Martin Datum) down to approximately 282.5' MD to 283' MD during a time window of approximately four hours.
Monday thru Friday (November 17 - 21)
Once the Thurlow forebay has been drawn down, it will be kept approximately between elevation 282.5' MD to 283' MD for a period of two or three days for inspection and sealing of the flashboards.
Wednesday thru Friday (November 19 - 21) Thurlow forebay will return to its normal reservoir elevation of approximately 288' MD. The reservoir will be raised once the flashboards have been inspected. Thurlow reservoir will be raised during a time window of approximately four hours.
Thurlow Reservoir, also known as Lake Tallassee, is located in east central Alabama about 30 miles northeast of Montgomery in the City of Tallassee. Thurlow is the smallest reservoir (585 acres) in the chain of Alabama Power Company impoundments and is just downstream from the somewhat larger Yates Reservoir. Below Thurlow Dam; the Tallapoosa River is free flowing to its confluence with the Coosa River, which forms the Alabama River.
Access to Thurlow Reservoir is available at a park maintained by the City of Tallassee, located on Roosevelt Street, just off Gilmer Avenue (Highway 229). This park includes a boat ramp, parking, restrooms, picnic tables and a handicapped accessible boardwalk along the water’s edge.
The water discharged from the upstream Martin Dam is cold and infertile, which directly influences the quality of the Thurlow Reservoir fishery. Baitfish, such as threadfin shad and gizzard shad, are not as abundant in Thurlow Lake as they are in most other Alabama reservoirs; therefore, the growth of game fish is adversely affected. In spite of this, fishing in Thurlow is often quite good, mainly because this reservoir is relatively unknown outside the local area and does not receive a lot of angling pressure.
Bass fishing is popular at Thurlow. The fishery includes both spotted bass and largemouth bass. Other species of angling interest include: striped bass, white bass, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish. Lake Thurlow also has a reputation for producing large redear sunfish (shellcrackers) and bluegill.
Another species that attracts angler attention is the yellow perch, since the flesh is very firm and appetizing. This species is new to the Tallapoosa River drainage, although no adverse affects are expected from its presence since it co-exists with other game fish in Alabama reservoirs.
Access to Thurlow Reservoir is available at a park maintained by the City of Tallassee, located on Roosevelt Street, just off Gilmer Avenue (Highway 229).
Businesses Located Nearby
Bait & Tackle
- Jerry's Bait & Tackle
- 1668 Federal Dr - Montgomery, AL
- (334) 272-4608
- Martin's Bait & Tackle
- 1165 Lightwood Rd - Deatsville, AL
- (334) 569-1123
- Mike's Bait & Tackle
- 1089 Highway 280 - Alexander City, AL
- (256) 212-9850
Boat Rental
- Carboni Auto & Marine LLC
- 600 Main St - Tallassee, AL
- (334) 283-2600
- Flat Top Boats
- 380 Dogwood Rd - Sylacauga, AL
- (256) 249-2821
- Boat Repair
- 45 Bartletts Ferry Rd - Fortson, GA
- (706) 323-4190
Vacation Rental
- Lake Martin Corporate Vacation Rental Property
- 183 Larkwood Ln - Dadeville, AL
- (256) 825-7317
- Hotel Talisi
- 14 Sistrunk St - Tallassee, AL
- (334) 283-2769
- Lake Martin Vacation Rentals
- 5610 Highway 49 S - Dadeville, AL
- (256) 825-2225
Bar and Restaurant
- Old South BBQ
- 10570 Georgia Rd - Eclectic, AL
- (334) 541-3559
- Bay Pine Marina Gift & Bar-B-Q
- 3455 Bay Pine Rd - Jacksons Gap, AL
- (256) 825-0078
- Chucks Bar-B-Que
- 622 Shug Jordan Pky - Auburn, AL
- (334) 826-2400