This week, Alabama Power is launching its new “Shorelines” lakes website and app – connecting with its customers through the multichannel digital platform built for those who love Alabama Power lakes. The website can be accessed at APCShorelines.com and the app, titled Shorelines, can be downloaded in Apple and Android stores.

This new system will not only create a platform to better engage with Alabama Power customers but bring a new look and more accessible information to the lake audience.

The Shorelines platform will include a smartphone app, website, mobile site, personalized email communication, social media and a blog, featuring stories and updates from our lakes. Through these channels, customers will be able to access lake levels, generation schedules and lifestyle features specific to the lake or lakes they prefer.

“This is a valuable tool for the people who live on or visit our lakes,” said Matt Bowden, vice president of Environmental Affairs.

“The mobile-friendly site and app provide instant access to lake information for people on the lake or those thinking about driving down for the weekend. This is a big leap forward in providing information people want in today’s on-the-go world.”

For years, the lakes information pages on the Alabama Power website have been among the most visited, as customers and shoreline neighbors have a vested interest in what is happening on our lakes. Alabama Power manages 11 reservoirs and 14 hydroelectric dams on the Coosa, Tallapoosa and Black Warrior rivers.

“Many activities around the lake are impacted by water levels on our reservoirs and generation schedules. Anglers, homeowners and visitors all access the lakes website to plan their time at the lake,” said Bowden.

Communication features various platforms

Visitors will find APCShorelines.com a more visual site offering a variety of information and content including:

• Website – APCShorelines.com features custom web pages for each reservoir with current water levels, generation schedules, weather conditions and interactive maps. The site connects the lake community through a blog of updates, stories, photos and videos about each lake.
•  Shorelines App – The Shorelines app is available for download in Apple and Android stores. Users will be able to access lake levels, points of interest, fishing spots and blog content from their cellphone and tablet devices. Users can also subscribe to daily alerts from the app.
•  Social Media – Shorelines will use social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to share information and connect with the lake audience. Visitors can access these separately or through the website for up-to-the-minute information about Alabama Power reservoirs.
•  Email Alert System – Users can subscribe to daily emails communicating lake levels, generation schedules, news and updates from their preferred lakes. The new email system will also deliver the most recent blog content to each user based on their lake preferences.

New tools help company better serve customers

In addition to providing customers and the lake audience with a new platform for information, this digital system will help Alabama Power learn more about our customers and how to better serve them.

“We live in a time where our customers have more choices for news and entertainment, where we can no longer rely solely on traditional media to reach them,” said John Hudson, vice president of Public Relations and Charitable Giving. “This platform enables us to provide customers with information in a variety of ways, using new technology to reach them.”

The project is a partnership between Alabama Power’s Public Relations, Hydro Operations, Environmental Affairs, Shoreline Management and IT departments.

“This communications initiative represents a different approach working to deliver a better experience for Alabama Power customers today and in the future,” said Hudson.