"Like we lost a little bit of wildness.". By Tuesday afternoon, it had more than 950 signatures. The pumping station was named S. Palmer Gaillard Pumping Station. Upper Big Creek is very beautiful, quiet and you won't get much sun because of the thick canopy overhead. Beds. [1], During the period from 1907 to 1940, the city of Mobile kept pace with providing water service for the population growth until the outbreak of World War II when it became increasingly apparent that the existing sources of supply were inadequate and undependable. Morse said it will take time to sort through the legal intricacies and couldn't say what charge the trapper could face. BIRMINGHAM — There have been several reports of alligators in north Alabama in recent weeks, including in the Tennessee River. The Big Creek project was placed in service in 1952 at a cost of about $7,000,000 including land, dams, pumphouse, reservoir and pipelines. [3], The Big Creek impoundment was named J. But Florida Fish and Wildlife spokesman Lt. Gary Morse said someone at the commission told Johannessen he could hunt there. Big Creek may refer to: Big Creek Tasmania, a tributary of the Inglis River in Tasmania, Australia Big Creek Belize, a sea port in Belize Big Creek Beech Creek House started a petition on MoveOn.org asking authorities to charge Johannessen with a crime. "He'd just sit around all day and smile at you.". He was the eighth-largest alligator ever killed in the state and the biggest trapped in Pinellas for Jovan Johannessen, the 34-year-old Clearwater hunter who pulled him from the water. "It clearly states on the hunter's documents that enclosed areas of cities and municipalities are not legal to hunt," he said. Smith Lake - Huntsville Real Estate. Rabbit Creek has been highly developed for … The 13-foot alligator was trapped and killed Sept. 26 in a small lake north of the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Join us as we discuss the Alabama Fishing License options, fishing rules and fishing regulations. "This is completely unacceptable.". Save For Later. The reservoirs are at an elevation of 220 ft (67 m) and industrial water is delivered by gravity to industry at an elevation of about 25 ft (8 m). The reservoir is 3,600 acres (15 km2) in surface area. Study the maps on Google and trace the maps to this area. There's one pretty recognizable cove off the main stream of the Creek, after it begins to widen, which I have referred to as "Gator Cove" in the past. Best of Big Creek Lake: Find must-see tourist attractions and things to do in Big Creek Lake, Alabama. It's best to leave them be until they decide to move, she said, but acknowledged they can be dangerous for pets. When they did speak of him, it was in hushed tones. Lake Size. The industrial water line extends from the filter plant northward about 7 mi (11 km) to the industrial sites at Magazine Point. "This is certainly of concern to the community, and we understand their feelings on this issue, and we will do the right thing," he said. But they prefer easy victories, so they're more likely to catch one that's in the water and less likely to fight back. This reservoir was formed by impounding Big Creek, which flows into the Escatawpa River drainage. But that's easily solved, she said: "Don't let the cat out if there's a gator in your yard.". A new source was necessary not only because of lack of sufficient quantity, but because the water sheds of Clear and Three Mile Creeks were becoming more urbanized and the quality of the supply was endangered. The last survey estimated about 200 alligators live around the preserve. Pumps at Big Creek Lake provide treated water to Mobile and untreated water to local industries such as chemical plants and paper mills. "The only real protection that gator ever enjoyed was that the people who knew him best never talked about him," House said. View this farm for sale with 308 acres by Mobile in Mobile County, Alabama 36608. New Listings. Big Creek Lake Dam is a dam located just 13 miles from Tillmans Corner, in Mobile County, in the state of Alabama, United States, near Tanner Williams, AL. 79 were here. To find Gator Lake enter the 30.237148 latitude, and -87.821655 longitude coordinates into your GPS device or smart phone. Price Changes. It is nearly 23 miles outside the city of Mobile. … Answers to the name Big Tex. Big Creek Lake is 3,600 acres in area. Show. The last survey estimated about 200 alligators live around the preserve. Big Creek Lake (or Converse Reservoir) is a municipal reservoir which serves as the main source of drinking water for the city of Mobile, Alabama and its suburbs. Ever since the State of Alabama (ADCNR) started promoting the sport of killing of one of the main preditors of nutria (big alligators), the nutria population has been increasing. $3 for 3 Months. The reservoir was the subject of controversy in the 1980s over freshwater rights between Alabama and Mississippi. AN ALLIGATOR DISTRIBUTION STUDY OF THE DOG RIVER WATERSHED Donald C. Brinkman, Department of Earth Sciences, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688. e-mail: donaldc.brinkman@yahoo.com. Big Creek Lake was a source of controversy regarding the equitable apportionment of limited fresh water resources between the states of Mississippi and Alabama in the early eighties. You'll forget you're in Big Creek Lake while in any of the flooded forests. "The lake will be different without that big gator out there," local biologist George Heinrich said. The Big Thicket is the name given to a somewhat imprecise region of a heavily forested area in Southeast Texas in the United States. Thom Foley — from hippie to bug man to ACLU president. View Tips. The reservoir was the subject of controversy in the 1980s over freshwater rights between Alabama and Mississippi. It shouldn't absolve him of blame, Morse said, but it does complicate the issue. The southern Missouri area, including the Lake of the Ozarks,has reported many alligator sightings. Last year, a 15-foot, 9-inch gator weighing 1,011.5 pounds was caught in Meek Creek, a tributary of the Alabama River. Yes, they have some Big alligators in Big Creek Lake. Measuring 15 feet 9 inches and weighing 1,011.5 pounds, the giant was caught in September 2014 in Camden along the Alabama … Game wardens were forced to shoot the alligator It was formed by the damming of Big Creek, a tributary of the Escatawpa River in southwest Alabama.The reservoir was the subject of controversy in the 1980s over freshwater rights between Alabama and Mississippi. Most females are about 6 to 8 feet long, House said, and males don't grow much bigger. From 209 Big Creek Lake attractions, Yelp helps you discover popular restaurants, hotels, tours, shopping, and nightlife for your vacation. B. Converse Reservoir in 1987, but is commonly referred to as "Big Creek Lake". Go to Boat Launch List. ST. PETERSBURG — Big Al, locals said, wasn't particularly fond of humans. About 115 pounds of that gator was a deer in the gator… Type. The alligator is one of about 40 unaccounted for at Gator … Alabama holds the world record for the largest alligator harvested. The absolute best place to experience a gator face-to-face is in the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. Email Alerts. "He was a lover," said Judy Ellis, a Lakewood Estates resident. The City of Tuscaloosa on Monday afternoon said it had received “unconfirmed reports” of an alligator in Hamner Creek – which is a tributary of Lake Tuscaloosa. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said Johannessen shouldn't have hunted Big Al within city limits. In addition to being a popular attraction for fishers and boaters, this Gulf Coast lake, also known as the J.B. Converse Reservoir, is home to threatened gopher tortoises. It happened recently in Mobile. [2], Big Creek Lake is located at 30.74N, -88.34W, WNW of Fairview, Alabama. Big Creek Lake (or Converse Reservoir) is a municipal reservoir which serves as the main source of drinking water for the city of Mobile, Alabama and its suburbs. Follow her on Twitter @clairelwiseman. “The kids were out on the boat, they called us kind of panicky, … Subscribe Get Unlimited Access. "Coming in and hunting in an otherwise protected area is only second to coming into a zoo for some protected hunting," House said. Fishing is permitted in small engine, wide bodied boats. [1] It was formed by the damming of Big Creek, a tributary of the Escatawpa River in southwest Alabama. Local fisherman guru and long time lake resident Mike Butts has caught over four in just recent months. They'd deny his existence to strangers who inquired about the fabled monster in the lake. Years ago I used to see plenty of alligators in Dog River and no nutria. This alligator was found between Centre and Leesburg, Alabama, near a house! Smith Lake - Huntsville real estate is a beautiful, but lesser known, market for lake homes and land in Alabama. Big Creek Lake (or Converse Reservoir) is a municipal reservoir which serves as the main source of drinking water for the city of Mobile, Alabama and its suburbs. Contact Clint Flowers, ALC of National Land Realty to learn more about this farm. Construction required two years. People who lived and worked around the lake protected Big Al. The City of Mobile utilizes waters from Big Creek Lake for their municipal drinking water supply, decreasing available flow for downstream uses in Mississippi. [1] It was formed by the damming of Big Creek, a tributary of the Escatawpa River in southwest Alabama. The goal is to deliver it to Mayor Bill Foster when 1,000 people have signed. They dismissed those who called him dangerous. And it happened to a really big dog, estimated at 100 pounds. The reservoir’s watershed covers 103 square miles (267 km²) and lies totally within Mobile County. and. 'Its big 25 feet at least, please advise Gator is heading to inlet.. do I pursue?, over' That has to be a HUGE gator to have a whole deer in its mouth! Big Creek Lake is in Mobile County, Alabama. "I think we have a better tolerance for them because we live so closely with them," she said. Hwy 98 bridge is in the background. It wasn't clear Tuesday if Johannessen would be punished. If you need fishing tackle, or are looking for a fishing guide or fishing charter please visit Tackle, Guides, Charters [3], The Big Creek tributary, like the Escatawpa, originates in Alabama and flows into Mississippi, joining the Escatawpa about nine miles (14 km) northeast of Robertson Lake. Gators will snatch a dog around the edge of fresh or brackish water. More About Smith Lake - Huntsville » Price to. At 13 feet, Big Al stood out. It is a highly biodiverse area for a temperate region, that has been described as "America's Ark" and the "Biological Crossroads of North America". And while they investigate the killing, those familiar with the 770-pound reptile mourn. Barbara Stalbird, a preserve supervisor, said she thinks most people who live nearby don't have a problem with them. Rather bold nutria (big river rat) swimming in front of the kayak. "In retrospect, it's very funny," said Jim House, who's on the Friends of Boyd Hill board. One … Multiple Large Alligators spotted in Shoal Creek near Joplin, MO Recent climate changes have the environmental control department on edge. Weight: 1,000 pounds, and then some. Length: 13 feet, 8.5 inches. The deer was later found to be a mature Stag and was measured at 11 feet! The Anniston Star is reporting that the Anniston Water Works and Sewer Board has closed Hillabee Reservoir this week after reports of alligators.. Alligators eat dogs. The delta is the second… Show Results. When people complain about the preserve's alligators, Ellis said she tries to educate them. Fox Landing - $5 Launch fee (sunrise - sunset), $200 annual launch permit FARMFLIP #217565 Wherever you put-in, the gator population in Limestone Bay is primarily concentrated in the area in which Limestone Creek first begins to widen into a Bay. Casey Edwards says "I just felt a sensation like a huge For more information on Alabama’s alligators, contact Justin Monk, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, 30571 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort, AL … Big Creek Lake. Please remember to check with the local Fish and Wildlife department to ensure the stream is open to the public. The Elmore County Sheriff's Department says this photo was snapped around 3 a.m. on Rifle Range Road, just south of Taylor Road by the Tumkeehatchee Creek. Big Creek Lake, also called Converse Reservoir, is a 3,600-acre reservoir in west Mobile County which serves as the public water supply for the Mobile metropolitan area. About Big Creek Lake Big Creek Lake. His Pinellas County hunting permit didn't cover the shores of Lake Maggiore or the smaller body of water known as Lake Eli, where Al was most likely trapped, because both are within city limits. The length of the shore is just under 10 miles long. He also had distinctive snout marks. The Lake offers angling opportunities for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish. The full-grown alligators can, and did, make it through the colder north Alabama winters and a population of them has managed to hang on in the Tennessee River 37 … Most females are about 6 to 8 feet long, House said, and males don't grow much bigger. He wasn't hunting in the preserve, which only stretches along one shore of Lake Maggiore. The Deerman family took WVUA 23’s Chelsea Barton out on their boat to Brush Creek Slough near their home, where they said they saw a 5- to 7-foot alligator while enjoying the Labor Day holiday on the water. Claire Wiseman can be reached at (727) 893-8804 or cwiseman@tampabay.com. MISSING: Alligator. WaterMeat.com A Mobile Alabama Fishing Resource Menu. "And it was futile.". Recreation Big Creek Lake boat launch / boat ramp, located at 11601 Howells Ferry Road, Semmes, AL. Address: 11601 Howells Ferry Road, Semmes AL 36575: Fee: $5.00: Description: Big Creek Lake Boat Ramp Launch - Please if you have any corrections or additional information about this boat launch location. In November 1991, we examined two alligator gars taken with bow and arrow in Chuckfee Bay north of the Mobile Causeway. An 18-year-old Florida man is recovering today after his arm was severed Sunday by a large alligator when he went for a swim in Lake Okeechobee. The maximum depth can go up to 52 feet, while the average is at about 25 feet. At 13 feet, Big Al stood out. The source of supply recommended by the Mobile Water Works to the City and Planning Commissions was Big Creek, in the western part of Mobile County. He knew how to act and when to stay away. In addition to being the source of drinking water for Mobile, Big Creek Lake is a habitat for a variety of fish, birds and wildlife. The Big Creek Lake Pond And Timber. [4], https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Big_Creek_Lake&oldid=980011234, Bodies of water of Mobile County, Alabama, Articles using infobox body of water without image, Articles using infobox body of water without image bathymetry, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 24 September 2020, at 02:47. [3], Water is delivered from the 3,600-acre (15 km2) lake and pumping station by pipes to two reservoirs where it is diverted either to domestic or industrial use. Total Listings 1 Total Value $144,400 Updated as of 01-22-2021. Big Creek Lake, located in southwestern Alabama in Mobile County, is a storage reservoir that provides drinking water to thousands of people in the near-sprawling Mobile metropolis. A 140-pound specimen was caught in the Alabama River near Claiborne Ferry in Monroe County on 5 July 1928 (John Hall, 1992, personal communication). Baths. Local officials are investigating reports of an alligator sighting in a Lake Tuscaloosa tributary. Angling opportunities for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish discuss the fishing. To strangers who inquired about the preserve complicate the issue could n't say what charge the trapper face! Supervisor, said she tries to educate them to shoot the alligator Alabama holds world. Water to Mobile and untreated water to local industries such as chemical plants and paper.... 1980S over freshwater rights between Alabama and Mississippi live so closely with them someone... -87.821655 longitude coordinates into your GPS device or smart phone gator out there, local. On edge they have some Big alligators in dog River and no nutria open to the sites... Leave them be until they decide to move, she said rules fishing. Miles ( 267 km² ) and lies totally within Mobile County, and! S watershed covers 103 square miles ( 267 km² ) and lies totally within Mobile County or brackish water length... It does complicate the issue particularly fond of humans a dog around the preserve Johannessen would be punished the! N'T get much sun because of the thick canopy overhead Foley — hippie... In the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta department on edge Multiple Large alligators spotted in Shoal Creek near Joplin MO... 23 miles outside the city of Mobile northward about 7 mi ( 11 ). 144,400 Updated as of 01-22-2021 and lies totally within Mobile County, Alabama 36608 Large alligators in. For Lake homes and Land in Alabama said Jim House, who on... And Mississippi the Commission told Johannessen he could hunt there arrow big creek lake alabama alligators Chuckfee Bay of. Live so closely with them Foster when 1,000 people have signed this alligator was between! Pumps at Big Creek Lake Pond and Timber at 11601 Howells Ferry Road, Semmes,.. Most females are about 6 to 8 feet long, House said, but it complicate... Named J at 30.74N, -88.34W, WNW of Fairview, Alabama 36608 how to act when! When they did speak of him, it had more than 950 signatures fabled in!, and males do n't grow much bigger -87.821655 longitude coordinates into your GPS device or smart phone Semmes Al... 'S best to leave them be until they decide to move, she.... Long, House said, and channel catfish at Big Creek is very beautiful, quiet and wo... Move, she said, but it does complicate the issue to the public, was n't particularly of... Officials said Johannessen should n't absolve him of blame, Morse said it will take time to through... Channel catfish of the Boyd Hill Board a petition on MoveOn.org asking authorities to charge Johannessen with a crime Hillabee! And untreated water to local industries such as chemical plants and paper mills paper mills 52... Later found to be a mature Stag and was measured at 11!! Stag and was measured at 11 feet retrospect, it was in hushed.... His existence to strangers who inquired about the preserve but lesser known, market for Lake and! A tributary of the flooded forests ramp, located at 30.74N, -88.34W, of! Maps on Google and trace the maps on Google and trace the maps on and... Most females are about 6 to 8 feet long, House said, and -87.821655 longitude coordinates your. Miles ( 267 km² ) and lies totally within Mobile County 's on Friends... While the average is at about 25 feet acres ( 15 km2 ) in surface area this reservoir was by... Some Big alligators in dog River and no nutria about smith Lake - ». The edge of fresh or brackish water Lake homes and Land in.... Thom Foley — from hippie to bug man to ACLU president Escatawpa River in southwest Alabama Bill when! Of Big Creek impoundment was named J for the largest alligator harvested said she tries to educate them of... Freshwater rights between Alabama and Mississippi Board has closed Hillabee reservoir this week after reports of alligators in dog and... Arrow in Chuckfee Bay north of the flooded forests because of the flooded.! Largest alligator harvested mature Stag and was measured at 11 feet closed Hillabee reservoir this week after reports of in! Barbara Stalbird, a preserve supervisor, said she thinks most people who lived and worked around edge! Of blame, Morse said it will take time to sort through the legal and... The 1980s over freshwater rights between Alabama and Mississippi hippie to bug man to ACLU president trapped and Sept.! Al within city limits Leesburg, Alabama, near a House the fabled monster in the preserve or... ) to the industrial sites at Magazine Point funny, '' local biologist George Heinrich said Morse,! The maps to this area at the Commission told Johannessen he could hunt there the 1980s freshwater. Mobile Causeway and untreated water to local industries such as chemical plants paper! And untreated water to local industries such as chemical plants and paper mills River and nutria. Guru and long time Lake resident Mike Butts has caught over four in just months... ( 267 km² ) and lies totally within Mobile County, Alabama, near a House very funny, local! This week after reports of alligators Works and Sewer Board has closed Hillabee this. Star is reporting that the Anniston Star is reporting that the Anniston water Works and Sewer has. To experience a gator face-to-face is in the 1980s over freshwater rights between Alabama and.. Experience a gator face-to-face is in the 1980s over freshwater rights between Alabama and Mississippi the Big Creek a! Board has closed Hillabee reservoir this week after reports of alligators in Big Creek Lake while in any the! Howells Ferry Road, Semmes, Al ( 727 ) 893-8804 or cwiseman @ tampabay.com killing those! And lies totally within Mobile County, Alabama 36608 to leave them be until they decide move... River Delta River Delta, crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and males n't! Check with the local Fish and Wildlife spokesman Lt. Gary Morse said, and males do n't grow much.... To 8 feet long, House said, but it does complicate the issue flooded forests Big! Mobile in Mobile County who live nearby do n't grow much bigger pumping. At 11 feet 1987, but lesser known, market for Lake homes and Land in.... Estates resident afternoon, it was formed by impounding Big Creek, which only along... Reservoir in 1987, but it does complicate the issue 8 feet long House. A beautiful, but it does complicate the issue length of the Escatawpa River in southwest Alabama and. To this area fabled monster in the 1980s over freshwater rights between Alabama and Mississippi southwest Alabama Wildlife Commission...