Moneta, VA

With 500 miles of shoreline, many people spend their summer vacation at beautiful Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia.

With Fall's arrival and upcoming activities- including the 20th Anniversary SML Wine Festival and SML Charity Home Tour- this is a great time to visit the lake.

A favorite destination while at the lake is Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta. One of several communities at Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta has a population of 8600 and was the location for much of the filming of the movie What About Bob?

photo courtesy of Bridgewaterplaza.com

You can drive to Bridgwater Plaza or arrive by boat. On a summer evening, this place is hopping; live bands play at Mango's and the music can be enjoyed as you dine or shop. Pizza Pub has indoor and outdoor seating and we often take our dog with us. He's very content to people watch and the servers are glad to bring him a cup of water. There are several casual dining restaurants to choose from including:

• Moosies
• Pizza Pub
• Mango's Bar and Grill
• The Mouse Trap
  
• Chopsticks
• Ice Cream Cottage
  

Shopping:

• Bridgewater Sportswear
• Bridgewater Marina
  
• Gifts Ahoy
• Wake & Skate
• The Veranda
• The Little Gallery
• Oriental Decor

Activities:

• Fun-N-Games Arcade
• Harbortown Mini-Golf

My favorite activity at Bridgewater Plaza is feeding the fish. I freeze all my day old bread to take along when we go to the lake. These are the enormous fish you'll find at the dock. It's a feeding frenzy!

Bridgewater Plaza is open seven days a week. CLICK HERE for individual hours of operation.

The weather is still nice enough to take the boat out and enjoy the beautiful scenery and changing leaves. So come on out and visit Smith Mountain Lake this fall. For more information, contact:

Debbie Malone, Realtor (R)

RE/MAX 1st Olympic

(434) 546-0369

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.

Thanks for reading about Smith Mountain Lake - its a large place ! You will need someone here to help you find your dream home - I would love to help you do just that! Please do not hesitate to contact me @ anytime! PJatTheLake.com - PJatTheLake@aol.com 540-525-0134

Search all the listings 24/7 @ PJatTheLake.com

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.

Thanks for reading about Smith Mountain Lake - its a large place ! You will need someone here to help you find your dream home - I would love to help you do just that! Please do not hesitate to contact me @ anytime! PJatTheLake.com - PJatTheLake@aol.com 540-525-0134

Search all the listings 24/7 @ PJatTheLake.com

Smith Mountain Lake - Rental Accommodations

Smith Mountain Lake is a beautiful and friendly place to visit all-year-round. If you're visiting SML for 2 nights, a week, or longer -- check the rentals listed below. These lodging options at Smith Mountain Lake include these options, where winter rates are lowest:

• Bernard's Landing Resort, (lakeview condos, $100-$325/night) - 540-721-8870
• Inn at Sunset Cay (lakefront motel rooms, non-smoking only, $69-$99/night) - 540-297-6109
• Lake Inn Motel (off-water motel rooms, $55-$95/night) - 540-721-3383
• LoveStone Inn (lakefront Bed and Breakfast, $110-$250/night) - 540-296-0510
• Mariner's Landing (lakefront condos, $100-$368/night) - 800-851-4988
• Westlake Waterfront Inn (lakefront motel rooms with boat slips included, $85-$150/night) - 540-721-3307

Of course - we have ton's of homes that are available for rent. Just contact our property management http://sml-vacations.com or call 1-866-395-2038 ask for Debbie and tell her PJ sent you !!!

PS - we do have some special offers right now !!!

L&F SML REALTORS® formed a small work group in February, 2008 focusing on what contribution we could make to the community and be eco-friendly at the same time. Many ideas were considered and the culmination is our "GO GREEN with LONG & FOSTER" reusable tote bag distribution program.

The basic premise was to sell advertising space to sponsors and put their advertising materials inside the bag along with the agent's card and profile or promotion flyer, then give the bags to the public at neighboring businesses (grocery stores, building supply, bank, etc.) as well as community events such as the SML Wine Festival, Charity Home Tour and many other local events.

The bags are sold to the REALTORS® for 25 cents each. Profit from the sale of the bags to our agents will go towards purchasing items for our next campaign which is currently ‘in the works' - all ‘Green' and ‘community' related.

Each sponsor was given 100 bags for their personal use and the remaining 9,000 will be sold to our L&F REALTORS® for distribution. These bags are bright green with white lettering - they look sharp, are great for carrying groceries, boating supplies, picnic supplies, library books - let your imagination run wild! You will soon be seeing the "L&F at the Lake" logo bags all over Smith Mountain Lake and beyond!