Smith Mountain Lake Water Level
Virginia · Roanoke River
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Water level history
About Smith Mountain Lake
Smith Mountain Lake is a reservoir on the Roanoke River in Virginia, operated by Appalachian Power. It's the largest lake contained entirely within Virginia. Its full summer pool sits at 795 ft above sea level. Live water levels come from Appalachian Power's (AEP) hydro data and reflect the latest reported level.
Understanding Smith Mountain Lake's water level
Smith Mountain Lake is the largest lake contained entirely within Virginia, held behind Smith Mountain Dam on the Roanoke River, and it is unusual because it is a pumped-storage hydroelectric project. Appalachian Power, part of AEP, built it in the early 1960s to generate electricity on demand: at times of high power use, water is released through the dam to spin the turbines, and during off-peak hours water is pumped back up from Leesville Lake, the smaller reservoir just downstream. That cycle, rather than a seasonal drawdown, is what moves the water level.
In practice, the pumped-storage operation causes Smith Mountain to fluctuate on a daily and weekly rhythm tied to electricity demand, typically only about one to two feet, around a full pond of 795 feet above sea level. Leesville Lake below acts as the lower basin that catches the released water and holds it to be pumped back up, so the two lakes work as a pair. The modest daily change is normal and expected, and Appalachian Power generally keeps the lake close to full pond.
Larger, longer drops come from drought rather than the daily cycle: during the dry years of 2001 to 2003, for example, the lake ran about six feet below normal. On the water, Smith Mountain is one of Virginia's premier recreation lakes, with roughly 500 miles of shoreline, extensive lakefront communities and a well-known striped bass fishery. Because the level normally holds so close to 795 feet, a sustained drop of several feet is a clear signal of drought rather than routine operation.
Smith Mountain Lake — frequently asked
Why does Smith Mountain Lake's water level fluctuate daily?
Smith Mountain is a pumped-storage hydroelectric project. When power demand is high, Appalachian Power releases water through the dam to generate electricity, and during off-peak hours water is pumped back up from Leesville Lake below. That daily generating-and-pumping cycle, not a seasonal drawdown, is what makes the level rise and fall, typically by about one to two feet.
What is full pond for Smith Mountain Lake?
Full pond is 795 feet above sea level, and the lake is normally kept close to that, moving only about one to two feet day to day as part of its pumped-storage operation.
What role does Leesville Lake play?
Leesville Lake is the smaller reservoir just downstream that serves as the lower basin for the pumped-storage system. It catches the water released to generate power and stores it so it can be pumped back up into Smith Mountain Lake during off-peak hours.
Can Smith Mountain Lake still get low from drought?
Yes. While the daily pumped-storage swing is small, a sustained drought can pull the lake noticeably lower. During the dry years of 2001 to 2003, for example, it ran about six feet below normal, a much bigger drop than the routine daily cycle.
What is the fishing like at Smith Mountain Lake?
It is best known as a striped bass fishery and is one of Virginia's premier recreation lakes, with about 500 miles of shoreline supporting extensive lakefront communities, marinas and boating.
What is Smith Mountain Lake used for?
It is a pumped-storage hydroelectric project that generates on-demand power with Leesville Lake below, and as the largest lake wholly in Virginia it is also a major recreation and lakefront-living destination known for striped bass fishing.
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