Overview
Mitchell Lake is a roughly 5,850-acre run-of-river reservoir on the Coosa River in Chilton and Coosa counties between Lay Lake and Lake Jordan. Mitchell Dam was completed in 1923 by Alabama Power and named for company president James Mitchell; it is the company's second-oldest hydro plant. The lake is operated for hydropower and recreation.
With about 147 miles of shoreline, a length near 14 miles, and a maximum depth of about 90 feet at the dam, Mitchell is a relatively compact Coosa pool of wooded banks, creek pockets, and developed shoreline. Normal full pool is about 312 feet above mean sea level, and run-of-river operation keeps levels fairly steady year-round.
Anglers fish Mitchell for spotted and largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, and catfish, with fisheries managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Public ramps and marinas provide access along the Coosa corridor between Clanton and Wetumpka.
Water levels on Mitchell Lake are managed by Alabama Power as a run-of-river project near 312 feet above mean sea level on the project gauge. The lake receives water from Lay Lake upstream and releases toward Lake Jordan downstream, so monitoring current elevations and generation schedules is helpful for boating and fishing.
Current Conditions
Mitchell Lake is currently 0.49 feet below full pool and has risen slightly over the past week.
- 7-day trendRisingLatest movement can differ from the seven-day trend.
- 7-day changeUp 0.11 ft
- 30-day changeUp 0.09 ft
- Drought conditionsNo Drought
About This Lake
Learn how this lake is managed, what affects its water level, and where Lake Insights gets its data.
Mitchell Lake is a 5,850-acre reservoir on the Coosa River managed by Alabama Power.
