On Lake Martin, the same lot can look like two different properties depending on the month. Before you buy, know how the lake level changes through the year and what Alabama Power allows on the shoreline.
How the lake level changes
Alabama Power operates Lake Martin. It holds the lake near 491 feet above sea level, its full pool, through the summer.
- Fall. The drawdown normally begins September 1, or October 15 in years when conditions allow a fall extension.
- Winter. The lake sits near 484 feet, about 7 feet below full pool.
- Spring. The lake starts rising in early spring and returns to full pool around the end of April.
- Every six years. The winter level drops an extra 3 feet, to about 481 feet.
Why it matters for a lot
A 7-foot drop can leave a dock in a shallow cove sitting on mud for months. When you look at a property:
- Ask the seller for photos of the dock in winter
- Check how far the dock reaches toward the cove's channel
- Look at the slope of the cove: deeper, steeper coves hold water at the dock better than shallow ones
- Visit in late fall or winter if you can
Docks, boathouses and shoreline permits
Alabama Power owns land around the lake and holds a flood easement and, where it applies, a 30-foot control strip back from the 491-foot line. A written permit from Alabama Power is required before you build or repair piers, boathouses, seawalls or boat ramps, or dredge, on that land. Under its residential shoreline guidelines for Lake Martin, revised in July 2025:
- New docks and boathouses are limited to 1,510 square feet and 62 feet in total length
- Covered structures must stay open, though one side may be walled for approved storage
- Lots with less than 100 feet of shoreline may be restricted or ineligible for a structure
- Rip-rap and natural bank stabilization are preferred over seawalls
- A general construction permit is $400; work done without a permit costs more
When a lake home changes hands
Shoreline permits don't transfer automatically. Sellers should notify Alabama Power at least seven days before the property changes hands, and permits move to a new owner only with Alabama Power's written consent. Some older docks are legacy structures built before the current rules, and rebuilding one after damage generally takes Alabama Power's written permission. Ask for the permit history early.
Questions to ask before you buy
- How deep is the water at the end of the dock at winter pool?
- Is the dock or boathouse permitted, and when was the permit issued?
- How many feet of shoreline does the lot have?
- Are there subdivision covenants or architectural approvals?
- Is the home on septic, and when was the system last inspected?
Alabama Power's Shoreline Management office answers property-specific questions at (256) 825-0053.
Working with Shannon
Shannon Baker is with LAH Sotheby's International Realty at Lake Martin, where she has a home, and is licensed in Alabama and Florida. She checks water depth, permits and shoreline before her buyers commit. Call or text her at (850) 420-8678.