Smith Mountain Lake
Encyclopedia
Smith Mountain Lake is a large reservoir
in the Roanoke Region of Virginia
, located southeast of the City of Roanoke and southwest of Lynchburg
. The lake was created in 1963 by the Smith Mountain Dam
impounding the Roanoke River
. The majority of the south shore of the lake lies in Franklin County
while a portion, including access to the dam, lies in Pittsylvania County
. The lake has become a popular recreation spot and has also experienced significant development in the last decade. It is the largest man-made lake in the entire state of Virginia.
and the Blackwater River at the Smith Mountain gorge to generate electricity
. Construction on the Smith Mountain Dam
began in 1960 and was completed in 1963. The lake reached its normal water level in March 1966. The lake is 20600 acres (83.4 km²) and has over 500 miles (804.7 km) of shoreline. The north shore of the lake lies entirely in Bedford County
.
to Roanoke
and Lynchburg
and retirees, many of whom have relocated from the Northeast
. By the late 1990s, the number and affluence of the new residents resulted in the construction of new retail and commercial developments near the lake. Recent shoreline development has been limited to residential construction. With the enactment of Federal oversight of shoreline development in 1998 coupled with soaring real estate values, there is an escalating loss of public access to the lake as the lake's marinas are sold for residential development.
State Route 122
is the only primary highway that crosses the lake, though State Route 24
, State Route 116
, and State Route 40
are nearby.
(FERC). The initial license term was for fifty years. In 1998, AEP began the process of relicensing. Under the requirements of relicensing, AEP was required to perform numerous studies to determine management requirements during the upcoming license term. In December, 2009 the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
granted Appalachian Power
a new license to operate the hydro-electricity plant. The new 30-year license replaces the original 50-year license and addresses recreational and environmental management.
The SMP has been controversial for several reasons:
Out of growing concern and frustration with AEP management and FERC oversight, SMPreview.com has been created to keep the community up-to-date on shoreline management issues.
of rural south-central Virginia. Before the lake's creation, farming and logging were the primary industries. Communities around the lake include Moneta, Huddleston, Union Hall, White House, Penhook and Goodview. There is no post office with a Smith Mountain Lake mailing address. The Booker T. Washington National Monument
is near the west end of the lake.
The level of the lake varies during the day and night, as water flows through (and is pumped back through) the dam. The normal maximum level of the lake (also known as "Full Pond") is regulated to 795 feet (242.32 meters) above sea level. The normal observed level (also known as "normal pond") is 794.20 feet (242.07 meters). The level can be significantly lower during periods of extended drought. Lake levels were about six feet below normal from time to time, during the years 2001 to 2003, after five years of below-average rainfall.
, water skiing
, wakeboarding
, riding personal watercraft, and sailing
are common activities as is fishing
, especially for striped bass
. The lake has hosted several professional fishing tournaments. Smith Mountain Lake State Park opened in 1983 and provided a beach
and a section for swimming. Golf
at one of the several nearby courses is a popular landside activity.
(located on the Bedford County side of the lake off of Smith Mountain Parkway—Route 626), the Smith Mountain Community Park (located on the Franklin County side of Smith Mountain Lake) and several government managed boat ramps also provide public access.
and starring Bill Murray
, Richard Dreyfuss
and Julie Hagerty
. It served as the stand-in for Lake Winnipesaukee
in New Hampshire
.
Horseback riding and alpacas are found at Smith Mountain Lake Farm located near the Smith Mountain Lake dam.
The ESPN Bassmasters tour came through Smith Mountain Lake April 2010.
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
in the Roanoke Region of Virginia
Roanoke Region of Virginia
The Roanoke Region is the area of the Commonwealth of Virginia surrounding the city of Roanoke. Its usage may refer to the metropolitan statistical area or the Roanoke Valley, but it sometimes includes areas in the Allegheny Mountains and New River Valley which includes Alleghany county, Montgomery...
, located southeast of the City of Roanoke and southwest of Lynchburg
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
. The lake was created in 1963 by the Smith Mountain Dam
Smith Mountain Dam
Smith Mountain Dam is concrete arch dam located on the Roanoke River in Virginia, creating Smith Mountain Lake. The dam was built by Appalachian Power between 1960 and 1963 for the purposes of hydroelectricity via pumped-storage hydroelectricity...
impounding the Roanoke River
Roanoke River
The Roanoke River is a river in southern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina in the United States, 410 mi long. A major river of the southeastern United States, it drains a largely rural area of the coastal plain from the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountains southeast across the Piedmont...
. The majority of the south shore of the lake lies in Franklin County
Franklin County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 47,286 people, 18,963 households, and 13,918 families residing in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile . There were 22,717 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...
while a portion, including access to the dam, lies in Pittsylvania County
Pittsylvania County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 61,745 people, 24,684 households, and 18,216 families residing in the county. The population density was 64 people per square mile . There were 28,011 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile...
. The lake has become a popular recreation spot and has also experienced significant development in the last decade. It is the largest man-made lake in the entire state of Virginia.
History
Initial proposals were made in the late 1920s to dam the Roanoke RiverRoanoke River
The Roanoke River is a river in southern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina in the United States, 410 mi long. A major river of the southeastern United States, it drains a largely rural area of the coastal plain from the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountains southeast across the Piedmont...
and the Blackwater River at the Smith Mountain gorge to generate electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
. Construction on the Smith Mountain Dam
Smith Mountain Dam
Smith Mountain Dam is concrete arch dam located on the Roanoke River in Virginia, creating Smith Mountain Lake. The dam was built by Appalachian Power between 1960 and 1963 for the purposes of hydroelectricity via pumped-storage hydroelectricity...
began in 1960 and was completed in 1963. The lake reached its normal water level in March 1966. The lake is 20600 acres (83.4 km²) and has over 500 miles (804.7 km) of shoreline. The north shore of the lake lies entirely in Bedford County
Bedford County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 60,371 people, 23,838 households, and 18,164 families residing in the county. The population density was 80 people per square mile . There were 26,841 housing units at an average density of 36 per square mile...
.
Development
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the area around Smith Mountain Lake remained rural and remote with tobacco farms and other agriculture. Marinas provided the bulk of public access in the early years of the lake. The limited early residential developments around the lake consisted largely of small trailer parks and modest houses. However, residential growth has been steady since the mid-1980s and increasingly upscale with large lakefront houses, condominiums, and communities centered around golf courses. The lake has both attracted those who commuteCommuting
Commuting is regular travel between one's place of residence and place of work or full time study. It sometimes refers to any regular or often repeated traveling between locations when not work related.- History :...
to Roanoke
Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke is an independent city in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. state of Virginia and is the tenth-largest city in the Commonwealth. It is located in the Roanoke Valley of the Roanoke Region of Virginia. The population within the city limits was 97,032 as of 2010...
and Lynchburg
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
and retirees, many of whom have relocated from the Northeast
Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States is a region of the United States as defined by the United States Census Bureau.-Composition:The region comprises nine states: the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; and the Mid-Atlantic states of New...
. By the late 1990s, the number and affluence of the new residents resulted in the construction of new retail and commercial developments near the lake. Recent shoreline development has been limited to residential construction. With the enactment of Federal oversight of shoreline development in 1998 coupled with soaring real estate values, there is an escalating loss of public access to the lake as the lake's marinas are sold for residential development.
State Route 122
Virginia State Route 122
Virginia State Route 122 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. The state highway runs from SR 40 in Rocky Mount north to U.S. Route 501 in Big Island. SR 122 passes through the Blue Ridge foothills of Franklin and Bedford, connecting Rocky Mount with the independent city of...
is the only primary highway that crosses the lake, though State Route 24
Virginia State Route 24
Virginia State Route 24 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. The state highway runs from U.S. Route 221 and SR 116 in Roanoke east to US 60 in Mt. Rush. SR 24 connects Roanoke with several small communities in southern Bedford County and central Campbell County...
, State Route 116
Virginia State Route 116
Virginia State Route 116 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. The state highway runs from SR 122 at Burnt Chimney north to SR 101 in Roanoke. SR 116 connects northwestern Franklin County with the southeastern part of Roanoke...
, and State Route 40
Virginia State Route 40
State Route 40 is a primary state highway in the southern part of the U.S. state of Virginia. It runs from State Route 8 at Woolwine east to State Route 10 at Spring Grove, about half the width of Virginia. It is the longest state-numbered route in Virginia.-Route description:SR 40 begins at SR 8...
are nearby.
Licensing
AEP is licensed to operate the Smith Mountain Project by the Federal Energy Regulatory CommissionFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is the United States federal agency with jurisdiction over interstate electricity sales, wholesale electric rates, hydroelectric licensing, natural gas pricing, and oil pipeline rates...
(FERC). The initial license term was for fifty years. In 1998, AEP began the process of relicensing. Under the requirements of relicensing, AEP was required to perform numerous studies to determine management requirements during the upcoming license term. In December, 2009 the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is the United States federal agency with jurisdiction over interstate electricity sales, wholesale electric rates, hydroelectric licensing, natural gas pricing, and oil pipeline rates...
granted Appalachian Power
Appalachian Power
Appalachian Power is a subsidiary of American Electric Power of Columbus, Ohio. It is based in Charleston, West Virginia and owns the rights to Appalachian Power Park in Charleston...
a new license to operate the hydro-electricity plant. The new 30-year license replaces the original 50-year license and addresses recreational and environmental management.
Shoreline management
In 1998, the FERC required AEP to devise and implement a shoreline management plan. The Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) limits the development of all property within the "project boundary." Local zoning regulations have been effectively superseded by the SMP regulations. AEP acts as the permitting agency. Any variance requests are reviewed by interested State and Federal agencies such as Virginia Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries. Disagreements must first proceed to the FERC, then be appealed through the Federal Judicial System.The SMP has been controversial for several reasons:
- AEP claims to own the property within the project boundary. However, AEP only acquired flowage easements for much of the property. Many private property owners objected under the opinion that the Federal Government, leveraging AEP's claim to property ownership, has usurped private property rights.
- While the SMP was under development, AEP was required to consult with various "stakeholders" affected by the plan. Marina operators were significant objectors to the process, since no marina operators were consulted until very late in the process, and then, only indirectly via the chamber of commerce and after protest.
- Although the SMP deals largely with the design of docks, dock builders were only consulted very late in the process and only indirectly via the chamber of commerce.
- In addition to marina operators and dock builders being initially left out of the process, only one property developer was represented. However, several representatives of area home owner associations, which are often at odds with residential and commercial development, did participate starting early in the process.
- While AEP verbally stated it does not intend to charge annual fees to maintain property owners' dock "privileges", AEP reserves its right to do so in the SMP.
- There is concern that, since the project is licensed by the FERC, that AEP is more concerned with Federal issues than local matters. Objectors claim that the terms of the SMP do not hold AEP accountable to local concerns. For example, there is no requirement for AEP to process a permit application in a timely manner (as is required by the state for local zoning.)
- Objectors claim that the SMP assumes AEP's goodwill due to lack of any practical checks against AEP and FERC oversight. While AEP's decisions can be argued in the court system, the burden of legal costs on individuals have prevented any practical lawsuits.
- Docks existing prior to the implementation of the SMP are not entirely grandfathered; only the "footprint" of the existing docks and only then if the docks are well-maintained. For example, enclosures exceeding the current SMP requirements will not be permitted to be replaced.
Out of growing concern and frustration with AEP management and FERC oversight, SMPreview.com has been created to keep the community up-to-date on shoreline management issues.
Geography
The area lies in a broad valley nestled in the Blue Ridge MountainsBlue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. This province consists of northern and southern physiographic regions, which divide near the Roanoke River gap. The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, starting at its southern-most...
of rural south-central Virginia. Before the lake's creation, farming and logging were the primary industries. Communities around the lake include Moneta, Huddleston, Union Hall, White House, Penhook and Goodview. There is no post office with a Smith Mountain Lake mailing address. The Booker T. Washington National Monument
Booker T. Washington National Monument
The Booker T. Washington National Monument is a National Monument near Hardy, Franklin County, Virginia. It preserves portions of the 207-acre tobacco farm on which educator and leader Booker T. Washington was born into slavery on April 5, 1856...
is near the west end of the lake.
The level of the lake varies during the day and night, as water flows through (and is pumped back through) the dam. The normal maximum level of the lake (also known as "Full Pond") is regulated to 795 feet (242.32 meters) above sea level. The normal observed level (also known as "normal pond") is 794.20 feet (242.07 meters). The level can be significantly lower during periods of extended drought. Lake levels were about six feet below normal from time to time, during the years 2001 to 2003, after five years of below-average rainfall.
Recreation
Smith Mountain Lake has become a popular recreational area. BoatingBoating
Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels , focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or water skiing...
, water skiing
Water skiing
thumb|right|A slalom skier making a turn on a slalom waterski.Waterskiing is a sport where an individual is pulled behind a boat or a cable ski installation on a body of water, skimming the surface.-History:...
, wakeboarding
Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding is a surface water sport which involves riding a wakeboard over the surface of a body of water. It was developed from a combination of water skiing, snow boarding and surfing techniques....
, riding personal watercraft, and sailing
Sailing
Sailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...
are common activities as is fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, especially for striped bass
Striped bass
The striped bass is the state fish of Maryland, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and the state saltwater fish of New York, Virginia, and New Hampshire...
. The lake has hosted several professional fishing tournaments. Smith Mountain Lake State Park opened in 1983 and provided a beach
Beach
A beach is a geological landform along the shoreline of an ocean, sea, lake or river. It usually consists of loose particles which are often composed of rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles or cobblestones...
and a section for swimming. Golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
at one of the several nearby courses is a popular landside activity.
Recreational Access
The majority of access to the lake is through private residential property. Marinas provide the majority of public access, but are increasingly being converted to private, residential developments due to economic and regulatory pressure. Recreation Use Assessment. The Smith Mountain Lake State ParkSmith Mountain Lake State Park
Smith Mountain Lake State Park is a Virginia state park located near Huddleston, along the shores of Smith Mountain Lake. It is primarily a recreational area, offering water-related activities as well as camping, picnicking, and hiking facilities...
(located on the Bedford County side of the lake off of Smith Mountain Parkway—Route 626), the Smith Mountain Community Park (located on the Franklin County side of Smith Mountain Lake) and several government managed boat ramps also provide public access.
Marinas with Public Services
- Parkway Marina - Boat Rentals, Boat Ramp, Fuel and a Ship's Store are available to the general public
- Bridgewater Marina - Boat Rentals, Fuel and a Ship's Store are available to the general public
- Smith Mountain Dock & Lodge - Boat Rentals, Fuel and a Ship's Store are available to the general public
- Mitchels Point Marina - Boat Rentals, Fuel and a Ship's Store are available to the general public
- Sportsmans Marina - Full-Service Restaurant, Boat Rentals, and Fuel are available to the general public
Popular events
- Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce Beach Bash - Held August 21, this event features beach music and local wineries and micro-brewers.
- The Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival - Held the last Saturday and Sunday in September, the 2011 celebration will be held September 24 & 25. Each year 27 Virginia-based wineries participate, as well as 85 food and craft vendors.
- Smith Mountain Lake Fireworks and Fire Company Fundraiser - Established by Parkway Marina in 1991, the Saunders Volunteer Fire Company has organized the event since 2001 as a fundraiser. The first fireworks display was presented by Smith Mtn Lake Dock & Lodge in the 1980s and continued until 2006.
- Tom Maynard Memorial Poker Run
- Charity Home Tour
- Smith Mountain Lake Wakefest & Virginia Commonwealth Games Wakeboarding Tournament hosted by Wake N Skate Pro Wakeboard Shop. For the past six years, on the third Saturday of July thousands gather to watch accomplished wakeboarders in Virginia compete.
- ESPN BASSmasters Elite - First held at Smith Mountain Lake in 2007, this is a major televised tournament attracting professional anglers from through-out the world. The event includes numerous on-site activities for the general public. The 2009 & 2010 event was held at Parkway Marina.
- The Smith Mountain Lake Fall Chili & Craft Festival - A full-day event featuring music, crafts and a spectacular competitive chili cook-off. Held lakeside at Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta, near the Hales Ford Bridge the first Saturday in November.
In popular culture
The lake was featured prominently in the 1991 movie comedy What About Bob?, directed by Frank OzFrank Oz
Frank Oz is a British-born American film director, actor, voice actor and puppeteer who is known for creating and performing the characters Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear in The Muppet Show, Cookie Monster, Bert and Grover in Sesame Street, and for directing films, including the 1986 Little Shop of...
and starring Bill Murray
Bill Murray
William James "Bill" Murray is an American actor and comedian. He first gained national exposure on Saturday Night Live in which he earned an Emmy Award and later went on to star in a number of critically and commercially successful comedic films, including Caddyshack , Ghostbusters , and...
, Richard Dreyfuss
Richard Dreyfuss
Richard Stephen Dreyfuss is an American actor best known for starring in a number of film, television, and theater roles since the late 1960s, including the films American Graffiti, Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Goodbye Girl, Whose Life Is It Anyway?, Stakeout, Always, What About...
and Julie Hagerty
Julie Hagerty
Julie Hagerty is an American actress and former model.-Early life:Hagerty was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Harriet Yuellig, a model and singer, and Jerry Hagerty, a musician. Her brother Michael Hagerty was also an actor. Her parents later divorced. Hagerty attended Indian Hill High...
. It served as the stand-in for Lake Winnipesaukee
Lake Winnipesaukee
Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. It is approximately long and from wide , covering — when Paugus Bay is included—with a maximum depth of ....
in New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
.
Horseback riding and alpacas are found at Smith Mountain Lake Farm located near the Smith Mountain Lake dam.
The ESPN Bassmasters tour came through Smith Mountain Lake April 2010.