Some might call it a universal orientation. If you’re a newcomer or visitor to the lake boating with a seasoned lake dweller, you have likely been on a tour of the most notable islands of Logan Martin Lake.
And if you have, you know that island hopping on Logan Martin is as educational as it is fun, compelling you to do likewise for the next newcomer to the lake.
Come along on our own version of the tour:
Island hopping on Logan Martin
Story by Carol Pappas
Photos by David Smith
PIRATE ISLAND
Perhaps the most well known of the islands is Pirate Island. That’s probably because the tiny island owned by Jim and Laurie Regan of Pell City have been welcoming guests for years.
On weekends and holidays, it is surrounded by boats that anchor nearby. The island is as inviting as an old friend. The tropical scene is complete with beach, palm trees, pirate flag, fire pit, hammock and a treasure chest full of goodies for the kids. Its shallow waters in the immediate vicinity make it ideal for boaters to cool off on a hot, summer day. And you can’t miss the gangs of children wading through the water to get to the island … and the treasure chest.
The chest is full of colorful Mardi Gras beads and other treasures for kids to find on their island paradise, and Jim has been known to sprinkle gold coins around the water’s edge for the kids to ‘discover.’ Shrieks of pure joy are sure to follow.
Laurie bought the island for Jim as a birthday present, and they have been ‘hosting’ guests ever since.
Don’t let its size – 75 feet by 50 feet – fool you. It’s the biggest attraction on the lake.
BIG BIRD OR HERON ISLAND
It goes by Big Bird Island and sometimes, Heron Island, aptly named for its inhabitants. Just down from Pirate Island,
treetops above, shoreline below and branches all in between are filled with Great Blue Herons, little Green Herons and Snowy Egrets.
Circle the island a little closer, and you might mistake the cacophony of squawking sounds as audio from Jurassic Park. But don’t worry, according to AllAboutBirds.org, the website of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, it’s understandable. Great Blue Herons are “the most vocal on breeding grounds, where they greet their partners with squawking roh-roh-rohs in a landing call when arriving at the nest.”
Snowy Egrets are beautiful, graceful, small and white. They aren’t all that rare, although the species was threatened in the 19th century when they were slaughtered for their plumes. When they became protected, they grew in great numbers and are now extremely common.
If they are there, you’ll find little Green Herons at the edge of the water, crouching to surprise a fish, All About Birds explains. Their “daggerlike bill” is used to “snatch” them. For bait, they use twigs and insects.
Some days, it can mirror a busy airport with birds soaring all around – coming in for a landing or taking off.
GOAT ISLAND
It’s easy to guess how Goat Island got its name. It, too, was named for the island’s inhabitants. The island lies just off the main channel in front of a row of homes in the Pine Harbor and Riviere Estates area.
Years ago, residents placed goats out there to keep the island clean naturally and maintain an aesthetic view of the water without overgrowth blocking the scenery. That’s how they earn their keep.
It’s a landmark around these parts and a popular destination point for newcomers and old timers alike.
SCHOOL BUS ISLAND
Within view of Logan Martin Dam lies an island 150 feet long and 50 feet wide saved from ruin by a band of lake ‘do-gooders’ and Alabama Power Co.
On a map, it’s called Grissom Island. On the water, longtime locals call it by the moniker, School Bus Island, because an abandoned school bus was left behind on the visible strip of land when the lake was created in 1965. The school bus isn’t there anymore, having been lost in a flood, but the name stuck.
David Smith, who lives nearby, noticed that year after year, the island was gradually disappearing. Erosion was taking its toll, so he contacted Alabama Power Company’s Shoreline Management team to see what could be done. Dock builder Fred Casey of Tradesman Co., also a community-minded soul, offered help.
According to Alabama News Center, Casey and company installed 225 tons of riprap, and the shoreline management team stabilized the island. In addition, they created a beach area and left a small inlet so boaters could anchor nearby. And by 4th of July 2018, the lake community celebrated saving the island along with the country’s birthday.
THE CLIFFS OR THE ROCKS
It’s not exactly an island. It’s more of a massive point on the main channel near Lincoln Harbor, but it’s a gathering spot and attraction all in one. Some call it The Cliffs. Others call it The Rocks. No matter what you call it, it’s one of Logan Martin’s many attractions. Its ledges are a traditional jumping off spot for the more daring while boaters gather down below to watch.
History, fun define islands on Neely Henry
Story and photos by Graham Hadley
Submitted photos
When the waters rose along the Coosa River behind Neely Henry Dam, they created a beautiful winding lake dotted with numerous islands.
Ranging from small marshy patches of grass just poking out of the water to wooded tracts large enough to build on, these islands help define lakelife on Neely Henry and are used for everything from duck hunting to residential waterfront neighborhoods that resemble seaside resort communities.
David Partridge, who is one of the owners of Ski World in Gadsden and who grew up on the river, knows many of the islands, most of which are owned by Alabama Power and generally not open for public use, he said. Most of the remaining islands, with a few notable exceptions are in private hands and are also not available to the public except during special events.
But that does not mean the Alabama Power islands don’t get used – there are rules, he said. The areas around many are shallow and good for fishing, especially bowfishing. And the larger wooded ones are great spots for duck hunting – with the caveat that you cannot set foot on dry land.
“You can tie up to a log or stand in the water along the shore. But the minute you set foot on dry land, you are considered to be trespassing. At least that is the way the game warden explained it to me,” he said.
Partridge is especially fond of one, tiny island near the boathouse he uses. “My favorite island is about as big as my boat and has just one tree on it,” he said, noting that, after a day on the lake, he knows he is close to his dock when he spots it on the east side of the lake near Keeling Bend.
KEELING ISLAND
Now not much more than a raised mound of grass, Keeling Island splits the channel near Meadowood Road and Clokey Drive. Partridge said the island used to have a ridge of timber down the middle, but it was clear cut.
Now barely out of the water, the island poses a potential navigation hazard, especially to people new to the lake.
A large sand bar extends south from the island.
WHORTON BEND
By far one of the largest islands on the river, Whorton Bend on the west side of the Coosa is owned by local families and accessed by privately maintained bridges. Parts of the island are landscaped and mowed.
According to the Clokey Family, which owns some of the island and adjoining shoreline property, this island is where Hernando de Soto crossed the Coosa. The island has been used by the community for the Haunted Halloween event for area children. This is a private island and not open for public use, though the south side of the bend used to be a popular anchoring and socializing spot in the 1980s and 1990s, Partridge said.
He does recommend the shallows on the other side of the end of the bend for bowfishing.
Immediately across the lake from the south tip of the island in Glencoe is a cliff in a former rock quarry. People used to jump from the rocks into the lake before a large private residence was built on the top of the cliff.
FIREMAN’S ISLAND
Also located on the east shore near Whorton Bend is Fireman’s Island. Partridge said the property is said to be owned by a group of first responders who use it as a recreational getaway.
The island has a large, covered pavilion and lights, and like most of the other islands, is not open to the public.
PARTY ISLAND
Further south from Bucks Island is one of the few islands that sees regular public use. Partridge said the island is referred to as Party Island, located on the east side of the Coosa in Southside.
The area is a popular anchorage and social gathering spot, especially on weekends.
Like most of the islands on the lake, it is not officially named on charts. But on weekends and holidays, travelling south from the Highway 77 bridges and Bucks Island, it is hard to miss the gathering of recreational watercraft.
BUCK’S ISLAND
One of the most notable islands on Neely Henry is Buck’s Island in Southside on the east bank, just south of the Alabama 77 bridges.
The property was originally the location of Buck’s Island Marina – where they housed and serviced boats. The land, both on the shore and the accompanying island, is covered with bright beach-style homes, complete with a red and white lighthouse.
A prominent sign in the inlet next to the lighthouse lets people know they have arrived at Buck’s Island and kindly reminds people it is a no-wake zone.
The marina business was relocated to 4500 Alabama 77, Southside, and continues to do a thriving business in all things related to the water, from kayaks to boats to apparel.
TEN ISLAND PARK
Not islands any more, but still worth mentioning is Ten Islands Park, on the west side of Neely Henry, just north of the dam.
The historical park is named for a Civil War skirmish – commemorated with a historical marker. The park is accessed by road or water and is part of the Alabama Birding Trails. There is a sand beach, pavilions and observation platform and more.
Partridge again pointed out that though the islands along the Coosa River and Neely Henry Lake are numerous, almost all are either owned by Alabama Power or in private hands and are not generally open to public use.
However, those areas are especially good for fishing, bowfishing and duck hunting, but he recommends checking with the local game warden and Alabama Power before setting foot on any of the islands to be sure you are not trespassing or breaking any other local or state laws.
And a good chart of the lake is a must – some of the islands are barely visible above the water and can pose serious avigation hazards. Because Neely Henry is an artificial lake, water depths, especially near islands, can change drastically in just a short distance.
