HOOVER, Ala. ( WIAT ) — CBS 42 first reported on lake pollution in Hoover last month. Some residents along Paradise Lake said storm water runoff from construction development brought trash into their backyards.
This is not an isolated issue, as some people living on Indian Valley Lake say they’re having similar problems. CBS 42 went out to a home on Indian Valley Lake to see some of these problems firsthand.
Gene Cary has lived on the lake for over 20 years. Shortly after moving into his home, he bought the vacant lot next door, which had lake access. The lot backs up to a 20-foot-wide easement, which the City of Hoover has marked for public utilities.
Cary says storm water runoff from this easement over the last ten years has taken away his lake access.
“It diminishes the value quite a bit because you can’t put a boat and have boat access onto the lake,” remarked Cary.
Water flowing through the city of Hoover’s easement is causing erosion ditches, which have gotten up to 10 feet wide and 6 feet deep. The water is also bringing trash right into the backyards of residents.