Issue link: https://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/1061366
during the 2013 drawdown, and additional snail surveys were done in 2009 and 2012. "Part of our week was spent searching for new populations of rough hornsnails, and we found them," said Fitch. "Before this week, the species was only known to occur in four different locations on Mitchell Reservoir, but we found them in three other creeks this week as well as along the shorelines in the main channel." Several other steps have been taken to protect the snails. For example, the timing and frequency of the fall drawdowns have been adjusted to benefit the species. "Historically for Lay and Mitchell, there were drawdowns every year. en they went to every other year. Since the discovery of rough hornsnails at Lake Mitchell and at Yellowleaf Creek on Lay Reservoir, drawdowns are conducted every five years to decrease impacts to the snails," Fitch said. Tracks le by the snails leading from the riverbank to the water indicate that the species can adjust to water level fluctuations. Lake levels are now lowered very slowly over a three-day period, to give snails more time to follow the dropping water. Alabama Power works with USFWS and ADCNR to find ways to protect and improve habitat conditions for snails and other aquatic species as part of its license to operate dams issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. All the hard work is paying off. e Tulotoma snail was downlisted from endangered to threatened in 2011 as populations below Coosa River dams increased. It was the first time a freshwater species of mollusks, which includes clams, mussels and slugs, was downlisted. New populations of rough hornsnail provide hope for its recovery. "Alabama Power is committed to protecting these listed species as well as all aquatic life through strategic partnerships like those with USFWS and ADCNR, comprehensive studies like this survey and implementation of reservoir-specific watershed management plans," Carlee said. Results from this year's snail survey will help regulators determine the impact of water level fluctuations on species like these snails and help provide guidance concerning future drawdowns. 27 www.apcshorelines.com