When we operate out of Shelby County Airport the closest widely usable lake is Lay Lake which is about 15 minutes east in the Husky..   It is part of the Coosa River system and has a nearly constant water level.   The lake has very good channel markings and is very friendly to seaplane traffic.    The narrow nature of the lake limits the wind and waves which generally leads to good seaplane conditions.    Just below the Lay Dam is Lake Mitchell.   It is also a pretty narrow lake, but the high rock sides make this a very scenic area to work in.   There are a couple of good examples of really "tough to see" power lines that stretch across this lake.     Boat traffic on Lake Mitchell is relatively light and there are fewer houses on it.