Due to heavy rainfall the last few days, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative initiated its high water notification action plan at 6:30 am Wednesday as the tailwater below Point A dam exceeded 25 feet.

Levels at 7 a.m. today, Thurs., April 10, there was 12 feet of gate open at Gantt and the tailwater was 7.04 feet.

At Point A, there was 38 feet of gate open, and the tailwater was 31.47 feet.

As of 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, the tailwater reading at Gantt was 6.92 feet, and the tailwater reading at Point A was 27.5 feet. Tailwater flow is the hourly average of the river flow just downstream of the hydro plants, measured in cubic feet per second. PowerSouth has 10 feet of gate open at the Gantt Hydro and 32 feet of gate open at the Point A Hydro.

As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, only 10 feet of the Gantt gate remained open. The tailwater reading at 2 p.m. read 6.86 feet. The Point A backed off to 31 feet of gate open, with a tailwater reading of 22.08 feet.

At 6 p.m., only 8 feet of floodgates were open at the Gantt hydro plant, and 34 feet of gate open at Point A. Tailwater was 23.96 feet.

The National Weather Service’s spring flood outlook map shows a number of locations in South Alabama near flood stage, but no flooding is expected in the Covington County area.

The lastest projections from NOAA show the Conecuh River, measured at River Falls, cresting at 31.8 feet Friday. Flood stage is 37 feet.

The Conecuh also was expected to be near flood stage in Brewton. Minor flooding of the Escambia River was expected near Flomaton.

In Elba, the Pea River, which flooded twice in the 1990s, is expected to crest six feet below flood stage.

“PowerSouth personnel will continue to closely monitor conditions and manage resources with extreme caution,” said Mark Ingram PowerSouth Communication Manager.

“Residents around the lakes are reminded that lake elevations are always subject to change, depending on conditions,” Ingram said. “We urge residents and property owners to stay abreast of the weather situation and take necessary safety precautions. Low-lying areas should be avoided. Also avoid downed power lines and contact your local electric provider in the event of a power outage.”

PowerSouth controls the operation of the dams at Gantt and Point A lakes on the Conecuh River near Gantt, Ala., which are subject to government-mandated water levels.

Real-time information about the Conecuh River at Point A dam is available here.