SHORELINES

28 Shor e l i n e S | 2015 Vol :3 As anglers plied the waters of Weiss and Smith lakes this summer in search of a big catch, Alabama Power was busy casting efforts of its own to make sure anglers are successful for years to come. The company planted water willow in Smith Lake and deployed fish attraction devices at Weiss Lake. "We're committed to proactively using various techniques to enhance the fish habitat in our reservoirs," said Wes Anderson, a team leader with Alabama Power's Environmental Affairs department. "It's something we take seriously and will continue to pursue." The company sunk 360-square-feet of water willow, anchored with chicken wire and cinder blocks, near the Clear Creek Recreational Area of Smith Lake in Winston County. Water willow is a native plant that aquatic organisms prefer, but without accelerated growth that bogs down a lake. Further, it is hardy enough to endure exposure to cold temperatures A L ABA M A POW ER steps up fish habitat efforts SMITH L AKE WATER WILLOW AND WEISS L AKE FISH AT TR ACTION DEVICES SHOULD BENEFIT ANGLERS FOR YEARS TO COME. "WE'RE COMMIT TED TO PROACTIVELY USING VARIOUS TECHNIQUES TO ENHANCE THE FISH HABITAT IN OUR RESERVOIRS. IT'S SOMETHING WE TAKE SERIOUSLY AND WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE." – W ES A ND ER S O N, A T E A M L E A D ER W I T H A L A B A M A P OW ER 'S EN V IR O N M EN TA L A FFA IR S D EPA R TM EN T Above: Photo by wynTer Byrd — Students and volunteers with the Weiss Lake Improvement Association place fish attractors in Weiss Lake.

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