It’s summer—and for many, that means spending more time outside. Still, with many places remaining closed or shuttering hours, it can be hard to find somewhere fun and safe to visit. Luckily for us, Neely Henry Lake is open—and you can take precautions to ensure that you and your loved ones stay healthy this season.
What is Neely Henry Lake?
Neely Henry Lake sits on the Coosa River. It’s also a body of water known as an “impounded lake.” Impounded lakes don’t occur naturally—they’re made by people, as a result of creating local dams.
Built by Alabama Power in 1966, the lake has offered visitors a place to boat and fish. It also generates a huge amount of power for our state: around 72,900 kilowatts. That means that when you turn on your lights, you may be using power generated at Neely Henry Lake!
Additionally, did you know that the lake is named after a real person? His name was H. Neely Henry, and he worked at the Alabama Power Company at the time as senior executive vice-president.
What can I do at Neely Henry Lake?
When you visit Neely Henry Lake, you’ll find several outstanding outdoor activities to do. First, you can go boating on the water, as long as you follow local and state laws. You can also sling on a backpack and go hiking along the area. Birders and wildlife enthusiasts can observe all kinds of critters too. Plus, there are spots for primitive camping. Finally, we can’t forget the anglers among us! Neely Henry Lake is a popular fishing spot, and those with the proper permits can catch fish like:
- Crappies
- Striped bass
- Catfish
- Striped bass
- Largemouth bass
Visiting Details
Before we get down to the details of location and hours, let’s talk about staying safe this summer. We’re all working hard to flatten the curve and keep each other safe. As a result, when you visit Neely Henry Lake, you’ll note that all public restrooms and offices will be closed, though the recreation sites and parks will remain open. Please, practice social distancing by staying six feet or further from those not in your household and by wearing a mask. You can also pack some hand sanitizer, water, and extra sunscreen to stay on top of it all. Thank you for protecting your community!
Neely Henry Lake is open from dawn to dusk. You can find it near Highway 77 North and at 111 Lakeshore Lane.
Summer
They say that nothing tastes better than a fish you’ve caught yourself—and you can test that theory at Neely Henry Lake. You can also hike, watch the birds, camp, and more. We hope you enjoy your next visit!
A sense of community is important! At Summer Waters, we strive to give our residents an affordable and comfortable place to call their own. If you want to join us, check out our site here. As for reading about more local spotlights, visit our blog.