Lake Jordan is benefiting from the work of Alabama Power’s Environmental Affairs team and residents of the area.
Earlier in April, everyone teamed up to submerge recycled Christmas trees to enhance fish habitats. Similar efforts have been taken on by various organizations and individuals on Lake Martin as well.
Mike Clelland, an Environmental Affairs Specialist at Alabama Power, managed the efforts to improve the homes of local fish on Lake Jordan.
"Fish habitats can degrade and disappear over time,” Clelland said. “This project helps maintain a healthy environment for the fish."
The process is simple and effective. Trees are bundled together in groups of four, loaded onto boats and then submerged at various locations around the lake. One tree from each bundle is also tied to a small floatation device to ensure that it sits upright on the lake floor, providing even more coverage for local fish.
Partnerships with local anglers and the Lake Jordan Homeowners and Boatowners Association (HOBOs) helped select the locations, potentially creating new spawning grounds.
Some fish species use underwater trees, submerged branches or other types of underwater vegetation for spawning. These structures provide shelter and protection for eggs and juvenile fish from predators. Fish can also attach their eggs to the trunks or branches of these Christmas trees, creating a more stable environment.
"After we sink the trees, we mark them via GPS and make this information available on our Shorelines website and app for the public to access,” Clelland said. “For Lake Jordan alone, we are sinking over 100 trees in six different locations.”
Additional efforts are ongoing throughout the state. The next tree drop was performed at Lake Mitchell. Tree bundles were assembled before crews launched from the Higgins Ferry Boat Ramp in Clanton.
