The board of the water system that closed Mobile's Big Creek Lake to boating and fishing on February 4 voted Monday to seek "outside concessionaires" to run limited boating and fishing. The plan would still disallow outside boats.
The Mobile Area Water & Sewer System (MAWSS) will seek a private-sector partner to operate a boat rental facility at the reservoir. It would then be open to fishing five days a week, expanding from the three days a week previously allowed.
They would also allow shoreline fishing, picnic areas, and "family-friendly leisure areas." The area for public fishing would be expanded from the current 700 acres of lake to 1,800 acres.
Local citizens seeking to reopen the lake were present at the meeting. It was not a public hearing, so they did not speak. Many had spoken last week at a public hearing in Montgomery supporting a house bill to prevent water systems from banning recreation on public waters anywhere in the state.
Matthew Frazier, head of the group "Take Back Big Creek Lake from MAWSS," said Monday's partial re-opening plan "is not acceptable to our people." Member Heath Hawkins seconded those sentiments.
Big Creek Lake supplies drinking water for approximately 350,000 consumers in the greater Mobile area, or 70% of the population.
MAWSS sent this statement to 1819 News Friday:
MAWSS’s priority is to ensure a safe and abundant source of drinking water for the 350,000 residents we serve throughout Mobile, Spanish Fort, Chickasaw, Prichard, and Semmes. As a man-made reservoir, Big Creek Lake is the only source of water for these residents, their fire departments, hospitals, industrial base, and other essential services. Protecting this water source is crucial to our mission and the long-term growth of our communities and economy.
Currently, Big Creek Lake is facing threats from invasive species that can harm water quality, limit the water supply, and increase costs for utility customers. Several invasive species are already in the reservoir, and more are in nearby waters. The most dangerous of these is the Russian zebra mussel, which has spread rapidly from the Great Lakes to as close as Tuscaloosa. These mussels attach to boats and trailers at a microscopic level and multiply rapidly. In water systems across the country, these mussels have blocked pumps, pipes, and filters, resulting in increased costs for ratepayers that amount to billions.
We don't want that to happen here. Preventative measures are necessary to ensure that our community's sole water supply remains safe and that our residents, fire departments, and industries have access to safe, abundant, and affordable water.
Simply put, water is life. Providing safe, dependable, and affordable water isn't just a high priority – it's why MAWSS exists. As MAWSS continues to work with local stakeholders, we recognize the desire of some recreational anglers to use the lake for fishing. While we have consistently sought ways to allow recreational options on the reservoir and will continue to do so, MAWSS cannot permit outside boats to enter the lake, as this could potentially introduce invasive species that could cause millions of dollars in damage to our pumps, pipes, and treatment plants across the region. We will continue to collaborate with stakeholders and local officials to develop a path forward that enables recreational use while preserving this critical resource.
Retiring Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson released this statement Monday about the issue:
I appreciate MAWSS releasing additional information about its decision in February to close Big Creek Lake to recreational boating and fishing. As the sole source of drinking water for the City of Mobile and other communities across the region, Big Creek Lake is critical to public health and safety in Mobile County. In addition to providing our drinking water, MAWSS infrastructure and abundant water supply play a significant role in the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department’s fire suppression operations and are instrumental in the agency maintaining its ISO-1 rating. For these reasons and many others, I am grateful for MAWSS’ proactive approach to protecting Big Creek Lake from invasive species that could damage critical infrastructure, lead to disruptions in water service, and result in price increases for ratepayers. As a lifelong outdoorsman, I also understand those who want Big Creek Lake to remain accessible to boating, fishing, and other recreational activities. I am confident there is a way to do both, and I applaud MAWSS for its commitment to finding a solution that can restore access to the lake while also protecting this vital public resource that hundreds of thousands of Mobile County residents depend on.”
On February 4, 2025, MAWSS announced it would permanently close Big Creek Lake to all recreational boating and fishing to protect the lake’s primary role as a drinking water source for the community. The decision was made following growing concerns about potential invasive species that could impact water quality and damage critical infrastructure needed to operate the water system.
During a public meeting on Monday, April 7, the MAWSS Board of Directors voted to initiate a process to resume and expand public recreational access at Big Creek Lake by offering boat rentals through a private-sector partner, as well as shoreline fishing and other activities. The plan, which is in its early phases, would also expand the number of days the lake is open to members of the public and the areas of the lake that are accessible for recreational activities.
MAWSS is not a department of the City of Mobile. It is a separate agency funded by ratepayers and operated by the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners under a deed of trust from the City of Mobile issued in 1951. The seven commissioners are appointed to staggered six-year terms by members of the Mobile City Council. Mobile’s mayor does not have an appointment on the board.
Efforts to undo the MAWSS ban are underway in the state legislature and the Alabama Department of Conservation.
The House Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Committee held a public hearing on April 2 on House Bill 473, which prohibits water systems from stopping fishing, boating, and other recreation on public lakes. The committee is expected to vote on the bill on Wednesday. Members of the committee and contact information are listed here.
State Rep. Shane Stringer (R-Citronelle) is the House sponsor of the bill.
"Suddenly declaring an entire lake off limits without offering specific reasons or justification is unfair and hurts the quality of life for everyone who lives in the area. The residents of House District 102 are angry and upset at this bureaucratic nonsense, and I share their reaction, so if MAWSS refuses to reverse its decision, the Legislature can certainly step in and reverse it for them," Stringer said.
Under the provisions of HB 473, a water or sewer board "may not in any way restrict the public's recreational use of a body of water, or portion thereof, owned or controlled by the board, including for fishing and boating."
State Sen. Jack Williams (R-Wilmer) has a companion bill in the state senate with the same wording as the House bill. Williams indicated his SB 272 could come up for a committee hearing next week. Williams represents much of western Mobile County, including Big Creek Lake, in the state senate.
There appear to be three different strategies to reverse the lake's closure—one political, one legal, and one legislative. The political strategy is to get public officials to push the MAWSS board to reverse its decision. MAWSS is the board that approved the partial reopening plan Monday.
Stringer's legislative strategy is to pass a state law preventing the closure of public lakes by water systems.
The legal strategy would be to file a lawsuit or seek a legal opinion to invalidate the decision.
The Alabama Department of Conservation issued a determination Thursday that Big Creek Lake is open to the public. The determination came after Stringer filed a request with Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship on the question.
The findings of the Department of Conservation do not carry the force and effect of law.
Jim' Zig' Zeigler writes about Alabama's people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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