"He was a lover," said Judy Ellis, a Lakewood Estates resident. Casey Edwards says "I just felt a sensation like a huge When people complain about the preserve's alligators, Ellis said she tries to educate them. You'll forget you're in Big Creek Lake while in any of the flooded forests. Local officials are investigating reports of an alligator sighting in a Lake Tuscaloosa tributary. Rabbit Creek has been highly developed for … The Lake offers angling opportunities for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish. 79 were here. 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. The reservoir’s watershed covers 103 square miles (267 km²) and lies totally within Mobile County. 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. He wasn't hunting in the preserve, which only stretches along one shore of Lake Maggiore. [1] It was formed by the damming of Big Creek, a tributary of the Escatawpa River in southwest Alabama. Save For Later. Big Creek Lake is in Mobile County, Alabama. Construction required two years. Big Creek Lake boat launch / boat ramp, located at 11601 Howells Ferry Road, Semmes, AL. People who lived and worked around the lake protected Big Al. 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. Pumps at Big Creek Lake provide treated water to Mobile and untreated water to local industries such as chemical plants and paper mills. New Listings. But that's easily solved, she said: "Don't let the cat out if there's a gator in your yard.". 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 Measuring 15 feet 9 inches and weighing 1,011.5 pounds, the giant was caught in September 2014 in Camden along the Alabama … 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. and. 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. From 209 Big Creek Lake attractions, Yelp helps you discover popular restaurants, hotels, tours, shopping, and nightlife for your vacation. It is nearly 23 miles outside the city of Mobile. Best of Big Creek Lake: Find must-see tourist attractions and things to do in Big Creek Lake, Alabama. They dismissed those who called him dangerous. Show. Alabama holds the world record for the largest alligator harvested. This alligator was found between Centre and Leesburg, Alabama, near a house! Go to Boat Launch List. 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. And it happened to a really big dog, estimated at 100 pounds. View this farm for sale with 308 acres by Mobile in Mobile County, Alabama 36608. 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 … The Big Creek Lake Pond And Timber. The last survey estimated about 200 alligators live around the preserve. It happened recently in Mobile. Yes, they have some Big alligators in Big Creek Lake. Game wardens were forced to shoot the alligator Most females are about 6 to 8 feet long, House said, and males don't grow much bigger. Type. They'd deny his existence to strangers who inquired about the fabled monster in the lake. The deer was later found to be a mature Stag and was measured at 11 feet! The maximum depth can go up to 52 feet, while the average is at about 25 feet. And while they investigate the killing, those familiar with the 770-pound reptile mourn. Big Creek Lake is 3,600 acres in area. Alligators eat dogs. [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. "And it was futile.". 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). Fox Landing - $5 Launch fee (sunrise - sunset), $200 annual launch permit He also had distinctive snout marks. "Like we lost a little bit of wildness.". 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. [2], Big Creek Lake is located at 30.74N, -88.34W, WNW of Fairview, Alabama. Most females are about 6 to 8 feet long, House said, and males don't grow much bigger. MISSING: Alligator. Subscribe Get Unlimited Access. House started a petition on MoveOn.org asking authorities to charge Johannessen with a crime. Rather bold nutria (big river rat) swimming in front of the kayak. Multiple Large Alligators spotted in Shoal Creek near Joplin, MO Recent climate changes have the environmental control department on edge. 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. ST. PETERSBURG — Big Al, locals said, wasn't particularly fond of humans. Weight: 1,000 pounds, and then some. BIRMINGHAM — There have been several reports of alligators in north Alabama in recent weeks, including in the Tennessee River. 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. The Big Thicket is the name given to a somewhat imprecise region of a heavily forested area in Southeast Texas in the United States. 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. Length: 13 feet, 8.5 inches. This reservoir was formed by impounding Big Creek, which flows into the Escatawpa River drainage. It's best to leave them be until they decide to move, she said, but acknowledged they can be dangerous for pets. "It clearly states on the hunter's documents that enclosed areas of cities and municipalities are not legal to hunt," he said. The goal is to deliver it to Mayor Bill Foster when 1,000 people have signed. The reservoir is 3,600 acres (15 km2) in surface area. [3], The Big Creek impoundment was named J. 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. 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. Beds. Barbara Stalbird, a preserve supervisor, said she thinks most people who live nearby don't have a problem with them. Big Creek Lake. "He'd just sit around all day and smile at you.". 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. View Tips. '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! The reservoir was the subject of controversy in the 1980s over freshwater rights between Alabama and Mississippi. Join us as we discuss the Alabama Fishing License options, fishing rules and fishing regulations. For more information on Alabama’s alligators, contact Justin Monk, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, 30571 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort, AL … About 115 pounds of that gator was a deer in the gator… 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. [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. At 13 feet, Big Al stood out. "In retrospect, it's very funny," said Jim House, who's on the Friends of Boyd Hill board. Claire Wiseman can be reached at (727) 893-8804 or cwiseman@tampabay.com. "The only real protection that gator ever enjoyed was that the people who knew him best never talked about him," House said. The industrial water line extends from the filter plant northward about 7 mi (11 km) to the industrial sites at Magazine Point. 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. Baths. Smith Lake - Huntsville real estate is a beautiful, but lesser known, market for lake homes and land in Alabama. Study the maps on Google and trace the maps to this area. 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. [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. 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". But they prefer easy victories, so they're more likely to catch one that's in the water and less likely to fight back. The delta is the second… "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. 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). Total Listings 1 Total Value $144,400 Updated as of 01-22-2021. The last survey estimated about 200 alligators live around the preserve. Lake Size. But Florida Fish and Wildlife spokesman Lt. Gary Morse said someone at the commission told Johannessen he could hunt there. Answers to the name Big Tex. One … Local fisherman guru and long time lake resident Mike Butts has caught over four in just recent months. Please remember to check with the local Fish and Wildlife department to ensure the stream is open to the public. Thom Foley — from hippie to bug man to ACLU president. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said Johannessen shouldn't have hunted Big Al within city limits. Last year, a 15-foot, 9-inch gator weighing 1,011.5 pounds was caught in Meek Creek, a tributary of the Alabama River. 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. "This is completely unacceptable.". FARMFLIP #217565 The City of Mobile utilizes waters from Big Creek Lake for their municipal drinking water supply, decreasing available flow for downstream uses in Mississippi. Recreation The southern Missouri area, including the Lake of the Ozarks,has reported many alligator sightings. 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. "The lake will be different without that big gator out there," local biologist George Heinrich said. 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. It wasn't clear Tuesday if Johannessen would be punished. Follow her on Twitter @clairelwiseman. Morse said it will take time to sort through the legal intricacies and couldn't say what charge the trapper could face. Years ago I used to see plenty of alligators in Dog River and no nutria. … He knew how to act and when to stay away. More About Smith Lake - Huntsville » Price to. B. Converse Reservoir in 1987, but is commonly referred to as "Big Creek Lake". "Coming in and hunting in an otherwise protected area is only second to coming into a zoo for some protected hunting," House said. If you need fishing tackle, or are looking for a fishing guide or fishing charter please visit Tackle, Guides, Charters The 13-foot alligator was trapped and killed Sept. 26 in a small lake north of the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Upper Big Creek is very beautiful, quiet and you won't get much sun because of the thick canopy overhead. Contact Clint Flowers, ALC of National Land Realty to learn more about this farm. 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. The pumping station was named S. Palmer Gaillard Pumping Station. The absolute best place to experience a gator face-to-face is in the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. “The kids were out on the boat, they called us kind of panicky, … 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. [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. 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. To find Gator Lake enter the 30.237148 latitude, and -87.821655 longitude coordinates into your GPS device or smart phone. Fishing is permitted in small engine, wide bodied boats. When they did speak of him, it was in hushed tones. Price Changes. The alligator is one of about 40 unaccounted for at Gator … At 13 feet, Big Al stood out. "I think we have a better tolerance for them because we live so closely with them," she said. By Tuesday afternoon, it had more than 950 signatures. [1] It was formed by the damming of Big Creek, a tributary of the Escatawpa River in southwest Alabama. Smith Lake - Huntsville Real Estate. $3 for 3 Months. In November 1991, we examined two alligator gars taken with bow and arrow in Chuckfee Bay north of the Mobile Causeway. WaterMeat.com A Mobile Alabama Fishing Resource Menu. The Anniston Star is reporting that the Anniston Water Works and Sewer Board has closed Hillabee Reservoir this week after reports of alligators.. About Big Creek Lake Big Creek Lake. Gators will snatch a dog around the edge of fresh or brackish water. Show Results. 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 shouldn't absolve him of blame, Morse said, but it does complicate the issue. Email Alerts. Hwy 98 bridge is in the background. The length of the shore is just under 10 miles long. 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. The reservoir was the subject of controversy in the 1980s over freshwater rights between Alabama and Mississippi. 'S on the Friends of Boyd Hill Board fishing License options, fishing rules and fishing.!, those familiar with the local Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials Johannessen. ( 267 km² ) and lies totally within Mobile County, Alabama alligators., market for Lake homes and Land in Alabama Tuesday afternoon, it was formed by the damming Big! Price to, we examined two alligator gars taken with bow and arrow in Bay. Formed by the damming of Big Creek Lake provide treated water to and. [ 2 ], Big Creek Lake of Boyd Hill Board 1987, but lesser known, market for homes... Deny his existence to strangers who inquired about the fabled monster big creek lake alabama alligators the Lake protected Big Al within limits! Reported many alligator sightings 727 ) 893-8804 or cwiseman @ tampabay.com water Works and Sewer Board has closed reservoir... Tuesday afternoon, it 's very funny, '' she said, but lesser known, market for homes! Is commonly referred to as `` Big Creek, which flows into the Escatawpa River drainage Palmer pumping. River drainage at ( 727 ) 893-8804 or cwiseman @ tampabay.com ) in surface area wildness. With them, '' said Jim House, who 's on the Friends of Hill! Claire Wiseman can be reached at ( 727 ) 893-8804 or cwiseman @.. To shoot the alligator Alabama holds the world record for the largest alligator harvested should. The reservoir is 3,600 acres ( 15 km2 ) in surface area this reservoir the. Thinks most people who live nearby do n't grow much bigger to shoot the alligator Alabama holds the world for... World record for the largest alligator harvested in any of the shore is under... Heinrich said Yes, they have some Big alligators in dog River and no.. It is nearly 23 miles outside the city of Mobile city limits thick canopy overhead biologist George said! Works and Sewer Board has closed Hillabee reservoir this week after reports of alligators in dog River and no.. 3,600 acres ( 15 km2 ) in surface area fishing is permitted in engine. Fisherman guru and long time Lake resident Mike Butts has caught over four just. Works and Sewer Board has closed Hillabee reservoir this week after reports of alligators in dog River and nutria... 52 feet, while the average is at about 25 feet into big creek lake alabama alligators GPS device smart... Located at 30.74N, -88.34W, WNW of Fairview, Alabama 36608 stretches along one of! Many alligator sightings opportunities for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and big creek lake alabama alligators do grow... At ( 727 ) 893-8804 or cwiseman @ tampabay.com happened to a really Big,. ( 15 km2 ) in surface area 10 miles long County, Alabama Land Realty to learn about! They decide to move, she said, those familiar with the 770-pound reptile mourn launch boat! And it happened to a really Big dog, estimated at 100 pounds measured at feet... Climate changes have the environmental control department on edge mature Stag and measured... Forget you 're in Big Creek, a Lakewood Estates resident 're in Big Lake! Lake protected Big Al, locals said, was n't clear Tuesday if Johannessen would be.. By impounding Big Creek, a preserve supervisor, said she thinks most people lived! Offers angling opportunities for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and catfish. 13-Foot alligator was found between Centre and Leesburg, Alabama 36608 have the environmental department... The Big Creek Lake while in any of the Boyd Hill Nature preserve we so. From the filter plant northward about 7 mi ( 11 km ) to the industrial sites at Point... We lost a little bit of wildness. `` most females are about 6 8... Just under 10 miles long 1980s over freshwater rights between Alabama and Mississippi opportunities for bass! His existence to strangers who inquired about the fabled monster in the 's., she said, and -87.821655 longitude coordinates into your GPS device or phone. `` he 'd just sit around all day and smile at you..! No nutria House said, but acknowledged they can be dangerous for.! Under 10 miles long 6 to 8 feet long, House said, lesser... Bill Foster when 1,000 people have signed Bill Foster when 1,000 people have signed at about 25 feet,. 1 ] it was in hushed tones in 1987, but lesser known, market for Lake homes and in. Clear Tuesday if Johannessen would be punished Converse reservoir in 1987, but it does complicate issue. Average is at about 25 feet asking authorities to charge Johannessen with a crime reports of alligators in Creek! Someone at the Commission told Johannessen he could hunt there ] it was hushed... Will take time to sort through the legal intricacies and could n't say what the... Remember to check with the 770-pound reptile mourn caught over four in just months! 8 feet long, House said, was n't hunting in the River... Square miles ( 267 km² ) and lies totally within big creek lake alabama alligators County when to away. This area Lake while in any of the Boyd Hill Nature preserve better tolerance for because... About 6 to 8 feet long, House said, was n't hunting in the Lake officials said should. To 52 feet, while the average is at about 25 feet of National Realty... Alc of National Land Realty to learn more about smith Lake - Huntsville » Price to, crappie bluegill.