Light up
LAKE MARTIN RESOURCE ASSOCIATION WORKS
TO PUT LIGHTS ON HAZARD MARKERS
Story and photos by Justin Averette
Anyone on the shorelines of Lake Martin this time
of year sees homes alight with dazzling and sparkling
holiday decorations.
e Lake Martin Resource Association has been
working for years to bring a different type of lighting to
the lake.
e organization leads an effort to put lights atop
hazard markers across Lake Martin. at's no small task
for a lake with more than 400 markers.
So far, about 85 buoys are lighted. LMRA leaders would
like to see that number approach 200 in coming years.
e Alabama Marine Police have granted LMRA
authority to place hazard markers on Lake Martin. e
marine police oversee hazard markers on Alabama lakes.
Of the 400 hazard markers LMRA currently maintains,
most are floating six-foot white buoys with red markings
and a red diamond indicating "hazard." e buoys are
anchored by stainless steel cables and 100-lb. concrete
blocks. Some hazards are marked by a pole marker with
similar red and white markings.
LMRA leaders decided to add lights to help curb
nighttime boating accidents. e "Light Up Lake
Martin" program features solar-powered lights visible
within a 1-mile radius. LMRA's focus is to outfit high-
traffic areas first.
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| 2018 Vol: 4
