About Moneta's Smith Mountain Lake

Smith Mountain Lake is a great place to live. I should know, because I am a long time resident of the area! There is nothing quite like waking up to your own lakefront views. It will only take one visit to see why this is called the Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Be warned, though – many people have come for a visit and never left. They end up buying a home and living on Smith Mountain Lake!

Summer is fast approaching, and thoughts of long, warm days on the water are floating through the air! This is the season that draws all the lake lovers to area. If you have fallen love with Smith Mountain Lake and are thinking of buying a home on the water, there are a few things to keep in mind as you search for the perfect home.

Living along the shoreline is one of the perks of a waterfront property. But with that privilege, does come some restrictions. As part of erosion control and water quality measures, homeowners must make sure any changes they want to make meet specified guidelines. This can even include removing trees.

A beach is a great way to enjoy the lake, and having your own private one only makes it better. Due to restrictions, it may be difficult to add one to an existing property, so keep that in mind as you are home searching. Let your agent know what waterfront amenities you can’t live without, whether that is a boat dock or clear view of the lake. Looking only at homes that have what you need will save you valuable time.

Not sure of the restrictions? For more information on what can and can’t be changed along the shoreline you can check out the Shoreline Management Plan. Knowing what restrictions apply to the property is important. Information on docks and landscaping rules can also be found at the site.

So come for a visit, and if you like it- then move here! Have questions about buying lakefront property? Call me, Vicki Millehan. I have over 19 years experience selling waterfront homes, and I am a long-time resident of Smith Mountain Lake.

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

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