Lake Nicol in Tuscaloosa County remains open with lower water levels

Water levels have been intentionally lowered at Lake Nicol for inspection and maintenance, but the lake remains open for recreation activities. That is good news for people seeking relief from the summer heat.

Richard Rush, Tuscaloosa's executive director of strategic communications, said the work is part of routine maintenance on the lake and is being carried out by Schnabel Engineering.

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The lake water levels have been lowered about 5 feet to facilitate the inspection process.

All recreational activity is still available except the use of power boats. Rush said this restriction is because the docks are now high and dry and can't be used for launching. All other activities including swimming, paddle boarding, and kayaking are still acceptable.

The city has posted extra warning signs along the cliffs lining the lake, informing people not to jump from the cliffs. The lower water levels have caused the shorelines to shift and objects that were previously submerged are now exposed or are much shallower and could cause injury or death.

Rush said the maintenance at Lake Nicol does not affect either Harris Lake or Lake Tuscaloosa.

An upgrade to the restroom facilities is underway at Lake Nicol that but has nothing to do with the scheduled maintenance. The restroom construction and future upgrades to the facilities are being funded through the Elevate Tuscaloosa tax while the maintenance is funded through normal general fund expenditures.

According to the city of Tuscaloosa's website, Lake Nicol was finished in 1954 and serves as a backup for Lake Tuscaloosa. It is 384 acres in size, has a spillway elevation of 285.2 feet and holds about 3.3 billion gallons of water.

"In addition to canoeing and swimming, Lake Nicol boasts a well-maintained park and is popular with bird-watchers for its wild diversity of pine birds, songbirds, waterfowl and seasonal migrant birds. Its tall lakeside cliffs offer visitors wide, sweeping views from several sides of the lake," the website states.

"Lake Nicol is listed in several outdoor publications as one of the Southeast's must-see destinations for the bird watching community."

To learn more about Tuscaloosa's lakes, go to www.tuscaloosa.com/city-services/water/lakes .

Reach Gary Cosby Jr. at gary.cosby@tuscaloosanews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Lake Nicol in Tuscaloosa County remains open with lower water levels