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About Smith Mountain Lake

Why is there a gorgeous, 40-mile long, 20,600 acre lake, with 500 miles of shoreline, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of rural southwestern Virginia? Because Smith Mountain Lake was created to generate electricity, and to help manage water flows downstream and nearby. The damming of the Blackwater and Roanoke Rivers formed Smith Mountain Lake in a filling process that began on September 24, 1963 -- and ended almost 2.5 years later on March 7, 1966.

Smith Mountain Lake's surface covers 32 square miles. Its highest normal water level ("full pond") is 795 feet above sea level. There is typically very little seasonal variation in the water level. The daily variation for electricity production is 12-24 inches. During severe drought conditions, including 2007, lake levels have fallen by five feet. Under extreme flood control conditions, the water level could reach the top of the Smith Mountain Dam -- 802 feet above sea level. (The US Army Corps of Engineers publishes a daily water level report that is also available graphically over time.)

Surrounded by mountains, SML's deepest point is about 250 feet, near the dam itself. The "average" depth is 55 feet (see LakeLubbers, for Lake Lovers). Outside the lake's many coves, 80-150 feet is typical. Smith Mountain Lake water purity is excellent. Water temperatures invite swimming from May through September.

The west end of SML, including the town of Moneta, is closest to Roanoke Virginia (population 100,000). The east end, including the town of Huddleston, is closest to Lynchburg Virginia (population 70,000). Either Roanoke or Lynchburg is within 30-45 minutes drive time for most Smith Mountain Lake residents -- and both provide convenient "big-city" amenities like shopping malls and commercial airports.

Smith Mountain Lake is home to about 18,000 permanent residents. It covers parts of three Virginia counties: Franklin County, Bedford County, and Pittsylvania County. Average air temperatures are 73F in summer and 41F in winter. Annual rainfall averages 43 inches. Annual snowfall averages 10 inches, but the snow usually melts in a day or two.

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