ROANOKE, Va., Nov. 15, 2006 – Appalachian Power, a unit of American Electric Power (AEP), has announced that the water level of its Claytor Lake hydroelectric facility in Pulaski County will be lowered about five feet for cleanup and shoreline maintenance beginning Monday, Nov. 20. The lake will begin refilling to its normal level in about three weeks.

In partnership with the volunteer Friends of Claytor Lake (FOCL) and state and federal   agencies, Appalachian will conduct a “drawdown” of the reservoir to allow area residents and volunteers an opportunity for dock and other property repair and maintenance along the shoreline.

The drawdown will be implemented according to the following schedule:

-         Nov. 20:  Begin lowering the reservoir; draw down will begin at or near the normal operating level of 1846 feet
-         Nov. 25:  Complete reservoir lowering to elevation 1841 feet.  This equates to a rate of lowering water level approximately one foot/day
-         Dec. 9: Begin refilling the reservoir; reservoir will return to normal operating level of 1846 feet based on the rate of inflow

Lowering of the reservoir and maintenance of the level at 1841 feet are subject to external factors.  First, should weather forecasts predict overnight temperatures below 35 degrees for two consecutive nights, refilling of the reservoir will take place to its normal operating level.  Second, should inflows increase significantly—for example, from heavy rains—Appalachian Power will allow the reservoir level to rise as necessary in an attempt to prevent downstream flooding on New River. 

Appalachian Power will notify FOCL and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries of any changes to the schedule prior to those changes being implemented.  Appalachian and FOCL will announce changes to the drawdown schedule as soon as possible after they are known.

Water levels of all AEP hydroelectric facilities are posted and regularly updated on the company’s Web site: http://www.aep.com/go/hydro/