For decades, people in South Alabama have fished, boated, and visited Mobile County's Big Creek Lake and graves on the lake property. However, they have been prohibited from doing so since February 5, 2025, and the ban is now permanent.
The citizen group 'Take Back Big Creek Lake from MAWSS' will meet on Tuesday night, March 18, to fight to re-open the lake. They will meet at Hill Spring Baptist Church, 335 Eliza Jordan Road, Mobile, at 6 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.
The group posted a Facebook page to organize the efforts. The group now has over 2,200 members.
The group's stated purpose is "holding MAWSS accountable for breaching the public's trust by announcing 'PERMANENTLY' closing a 'PUBLIC' waterway and fencing off Howells Ferry Road, A ROAD THAT WAS PAID FOR BY YOU AND ME."
Electrical contractor Matthew Frazier organized the group.
The lake is under the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System (MAWSS) jurisdiction. On February 5 of this year, MAWSS issued a release that said, “…it will permanently close Big Creek Lake to all recreational boating and fishing, effective immediately. This decision has been made to protect the lake’s primary role as a drinking water source for the community, ensuring its long-term health and safety.
"Protecting our drinking water supply is our top priority," said Bud McCrory, Director of MAWSS. "While we recognize the impact this may have on recreational users, the closure is necessary to mitigate risks posed by invasive species and to ensure that Big Creek Lake remains a safe and reliable source of drinking water for generations to come."
“MAWSS understands that this closure may disappoint those who have enjoyed recreational activities on the lake. However, the decision comes as part of an ongoing effort to safeguard the region’s drinking water supply and protect the quality of Big Creek Lake, a critical resource for the community.
“MAWSS has taken several steps in recent years to address the growing concern over invasive species, including implementing a monitoring and treatment program. Despite these efforts, the closure is now viewed as the most effective and sustainable solution to protect the lake and the drinking water supply.
“MAWSS remains committed to the responsible management of water resources and will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation to ensure the long-term health of Big Creek Lake.”
Citizens wanting to re-open the lake have created a GoFundMe page.
There appear to be two different strategies for seeking to reverse the lake's closure—one political and one legal. The political strategy is to get public officials to push the MAWSS board to reverse its decision. The legal strategy would be to sue to invalidate the decision.
Former State Sen. Rusty Glover of Semmes, who previously represented the area, said:
"I was saddened to hear of the lake closure. Generations of folks have fished Big Creek Lake and the ban eliminates an opportunity for families to enjoy a wholesome recreation. I hope and pray that someday soon it will be opened for the enjoyment of sport and recreational fishing."
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