Overview
Lake Wedowee (R.L. Harris Reservoir) is a roughly 9,780-acre storage reservoir on the Tallapoosa River in Randolph and Clay counties in east Alabama near the town of Wedowee. R.L. Harris Dam, Alabama Power's newest conventional hydro plant, was completed in 1983 and named for company director Rother L. Harris. The lake is operated by Alabama Power for hydropower, seasonal flood storage, and recreation.
With about 367 miles of shoreline, a length near 29 miles, and a maximum depth of about 121 feet at the dam, Harris/Wedowee is a deep Piedmont storage lake of wooded coves, points, and growing shoreline development. Normal summer full pool is 793 feet above mean sea level.
The lake is popular for largemouth and spotted bass, striped bass, crappie, and bream, with fisheries managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Public ramps, marinas, and the Wedowee community provide access on the upper Tallapoosa.
Water levels on Lake Wedowee are managed by Alabama Power under a seasonal operating guide, with a summer pool of 793 feet above mean sea level and a winter pool near 785 feet. The lake sits above Lake Martin on the Tallapoosa system, so monitoring current lake levels is important for boating, fishing, and dock access during fall drawdown and high-flow events.
Current Conditions
Lake Wedowee is currently 0.39 feet below full pool and has fallen slightly over the past week.
- 7-day trendFallingLatest movement can differ from the seven-day trend.
- 7-day changeDown 0.13 ft
- 30-day changeDown 0.25 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.
Lake Wedowee is a 9,780-acre reservoir on the Tallapoosa River managed by Alabama Power.