Dams affect Coosa River flow

SELC is seizing an opportunity to address decades of low water flow on the Coosa River. The Alabama Power Company is attempting to acquire a 30- to 50-year license for its seven hydroelectric dams on the river without a proper environmental review. We are requesting a more rigorous analysis based on current studies, as opposed to the old data used by the utility, as well as establishment of minimum flow requirements for all of the dams. Since Alabama Power’s hydroelectric facilities were first licensed in 1957, the gorgeous, 275-mile Coosa has suffered significant ecological degradation—primarily due to poor regulation of the dams, which control the water levels of 225 miles of the river.