What to do at Smith Mountain Lake?
The Franklin County Board of Supervisors once again voted on Tuesday to delay a vote that would allow the construction of a new development on the northern end of Smith Mountain Lake. SML Partners ...
Where is Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia?
Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia's second largest freshwater lake with 500 miles of shore line, is only 40 miles Southeast of Roanoke and 40 miles Southwest of Lynchburg. Smith Mountain was created in 1963. The inflow source of this reservoir is the Roanoke River and is 55 feet deep.
Where is Smith Mountain Lake VA?
SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, Va. (WFXR) – A four-month ban on dredging within Smith Mountain Project lake boundaries will begin this week. Dredging by property owners at Smith Mountain and Leesville lakes is typically done to remove sediment and debris from the ...
How many acres is Smith Mountain Lake?
The largest section of the 195-acre rezoning of three parcels is outlined in teal. ROCKY MOUNT — A proposed new residential subdivision in the Hardy area of Smith Mountain Lake was given the go ahead by the Franklin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday following months of delays.
What is the closest city to Smith Mountain Lake?
Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, is approximately 20-40 miles from both Roanoke and Lynchburg, depending on which end of the lake you live on. Smaller towns, such as Moneta and Huddleston, are located on or near the lake, allowing for residents living in Smith Mountain Lake to work in nearby towns or bigger cities.
What celebrities live on Smith Mountain Lake?
Sissy Spacek, Joe Montana, Tom Cruise: Rumor has it that these celebrities have or have had homes on Smith Mountain Lake.
Is there a town under lake Fontana?
Underneath Fontana Lake lies the lost town of Proctor, North Carolina, a once-booming lumber town on Hazel Creek, a tributary of the Little Tennessee River.
Are there alligators in Smith Mountain Lake?
A Facebook post from Patty Hanson claimed there was an alligator in Smith Mountain Lake. Patty Hanson's post got more than a thousand shares. She says she fell for a prank! According to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, there is no evidence of alligators in the lake.
Who owns Smith Mountain Manor?
The Salyers twinsThe Salyers twins, who are the new owners of Smith Mountain Manor, pose for a family photo on the veranda with their babies. (The following article was featured in the previous issue of Lake Life magazine.)
Did Wayne Newton ever live in Roanoke Virginia?
Las Vegas himself Wayne Newton was born in Norfolk but spent much of his youth in Roanoke, VA where he learned to play the guitar, steel guitar, and piano at just 6 years old.
What town is under Lake Norman?
There are entire towns under Lake Norman Built in the latter half of the 1800's and shut down in the 1950's for the formation of the lake, the Long Island Cotton Mill and Mill Village's ruins remain resting at the lake bottom today!
Is there a town under Lake Marion?
I have always been fascinated by the flooded town of Ferguson, which lies under the waters of Lake Marion just a few miles from Eutawville.
Is there a town under lake James NC?
While there isn't a whole town located under the lake, the original locations of the general store, post office, ballfield, livestock farm and several houses were flooded.
Are there snakes in Smith Mountain Lake?
Smith Mountain Lake residents share their beautiful environment with a variety of wildlife: deer, turkeys, chipmunks, squirrels, racoons, and even an occasional bear make appearances. So, too, do snakes. Unlike the furry and feathered visitors to lake backyards, a snake's appearance is, to say the least, startling.
Are there sharks in Smith Mountain Lake?
During some of his deeper ocean dives, Smith said he has seen a variety of sea life, such as sharks, tuna and squid. Smith said he did not see anything unusual during his dives at the lake.
Are there bears in Smith Mountain Lake?
Sightings of black bears are on the rise around Smith Mountain Lake. Once a rare occurrence, these sightings have become more commonplace in recent years.
What was the area around Smith Mountain Lake?
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 on golf courses. The lake has attracted many who commute to Roanoke and Lynchburg and many 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.
Where is Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia?
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. 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 ...
What is AEP in the Smith Mountain project?
American Electric Power (AEP) is licensed to operate the Smith Mountain Project by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (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.
When was Smith Mountain Dam built?
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 covers 20,600 acres (83 km 2) and has over 500 miles (800 km) of shoreline. The north shore of the lake lies entirely in Bedford County .
Is Smith Mountain Lake open to the public?
The majority of access to the lake is through private residential property. About a dozen private marinas provide various public access opportunities, which may be fee-based or free (through some have been recently converted to private, residential developments due to economic and regulatory pressure .) The fee-based state park (located on the Bedford County side, off Smith Mountain Parkway), the free Smith Mountain Community Park (located on the Franklin County side of the lake) and six government-managed boat launching ramps also provide public access.
When did Smith Mountain Lake fill up?
What we see today as the second-largest freshwater lake in the state (and the largest that is entirely within the confines of Virginia's borders) began to fill up with water in September of 1963 . Appalachian Power bought the rights to the land and built a dam that would provide hydroelectric power and a larger lake.
Where is the ghost town of Monroe?
Perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects of the ghost town of Monroe is that no one can quite prove – or deny – its existence. If it does indeed have a place in Virginia’s history, its location is most likely under the waters of Smith Mountain Lake.
What is the name of the bridge that is underwater?
These photographs, understandably blurry, show evidence of a sunken bridge known as the old Hales Ford Bridge.
Who founded Vista Pointe Resort?
This town was founded by a man known as Abner Anthony in 1818. According to historian Herman Melton, Anthony had elaborate plans for this city.
How many acres are there in SML?
A: SML is the largest lake contained entirely within Virginia, with 20,600 acres and 500 miles of shoreline. John H. Kerr Reservoir, located partly in North Carolina, is the largest in Virginia, with a total of 49,000 acres and 800 miles of shoreline. Lake Gaston is third-largest, with 20,300 acres and 350 miles of shoreline - also located partly ...
How deep is SML?
SML averages 55 feet in depth, deeper than most U.S. reservoirs, and is likely to survive for hundreds of years before filling in. Regulations permit a limited amount of expensive dredging by property owners to keep shallow areas passable by boats, but the results are temporary.
What fish are in SML?
A: SML's most popular fish are striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish, and yellow perch. Walleyes and muskies are growing in number. SML is among the USA's top fishing destinations - and has been the site of Bassmaster/ESPN fishing tournaments.
Is it safe to swim in Smith Mountain Lake?
Q: Is it safe to swim in Smith Mountain Lake?#N#A: SML is safe to swim in, except near geese, ducks, water fowl, and farm animals - and sometimes following heavy rainfalls that create runoff from farm land or disturb sediment on the lake bottom. Occasionally, following runoff from heavy storms, SMLA temporarily advises against swimming in unsafe areas that are identified by water testing.
Is Smith Mountain Lake part of Smith Mountain Lake?
A: No, but part of SML, including about five miles of its shoreline, is part of Smith Mountain Lake State Park. And the Booker T. Washington National Monument (Hardy, Virginia) is about five miles from Hales Ford Bridge and Bridgewater Plaza, two of the best known spots on the lake. Hales Ford Bridge is the primary crossing point on the 40-mile-long lake, dividing Bedford and Franklin counties. Bridgewater Plaza includes the Visitor Center and more than a dozen retail stores and restaurants.
Is Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia?
A: No, but part of SML, including about five miles of its shoreline, is part of Smith Mountain Lake State Park. And the Booker T. Washington National Monument (Hardy, Virginia) is about five miles from Hales Ford Bridge and Bridgewater Plaza, two of the best known spots on the lake. Hales Ford Bridge is the primary crossing point on ...
Is there an alligator in SML?
A: According to Virginia's Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) there are no wild alligators in SML - or anywhere in Virginia except the Dismal Swamp in southeastern Virginia. The state's wintertime water temperatures are inhospitable to alligators. Q: Is Smith Mountain Lake clean?
How deep is Smith Lake?
What makes Smith Lake creepy? In some parts the water gets as deep as 264 feet, leaving all of those trees standing tall and unmoved, they have petrified under the water and still have their leaves and branches. There is a local legend of a man going out to buy bread and milk who never returned, in 2007 his car was pulled from the lake and he was persevered inside of it along with his wallet and other personal items. There are several missing persons due to the depth of the lake, the trees at the bottom hide many secrets and divers are often unable to uncover them.
What is the name of the lake in Alabama?
The Lewis Smith Lake and Dam is one of Alabama's creepiest lakes to go out on, and one of it's most dangerous as well. In 1957 the Alabama Power Company started construction in Fall's City, which is now known as Smith Lake and dam. Alabama Power created the dam to be 2,200 feet long and 300 feet tall, and its purpose was to generate ...
Is Smith Lake dangerous?
Smith Lake is a very popular spot for water activities such as jet-skiing, boating, tubing and fishing, but its sudden drop-offs in the water make it incredibly dangerous for anyone out on the water . Fatal accidents on this lake lead to bodies missing for days, weeks and close to months because of it's depth.
Where is Smith Mountain Lake?
Smith Mountain Lake. Although there is no hard evidence of the rumored town of Monroe beneath Virginia ’s beloved Smith Mountain Lake, many still believe that the truth lies beneath the water. When hydroelectric power was of top priority about 50 years ago, the damming process began on the Roanoke and Blackwater Rivers.
What is the name of the lake in Georgia?
Lake Burton. This summer hotspot for family vacations in north Georgia, Lake Burton is one of four lakes created by damming sections of the Tallulah River to produce hydroelectric power for Atlanta and surrounding areas. Up until 1917, Burton was not a lake, but was the largest town in Rabun County. Founded in the early 1800s as one of the first ...
What is the largest lake in North Carolina?
With 360 degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains, Fontana Lake is the largest lake in Western North Carolina with the tallest dam east of the Rockies. Beneath the lake rests the remains of the once-bustling town of Judson. Judson had a population of around 600 people with a simple array of shops in town, including a sawmill and a post office.
What are the lakes in the Blue Ridge Mountains known for?
The lakes of the Blue Ridge Mountains are known for their breathtaking views and fun weekends on the water , but there is often a forgotten history that lurks beneath them. Entire towns have been submerged, sparking the interest of scuba divers, historians, and myth busters.
Who owned the lodge in the River?
The lodge found by Routh was once a popular place for people to gather together on the river. Debbie Fletcher is particularly grateful for the discovery of the lodge, as it was owned and operated by her grandparents. Fletcher accompanies the divers every time they dive to the lodge.
Can you see the ghost town in the water?
With permission during drawdowns, people can access the eerie ghost town, and some venture onto the water by pontoon boat to see, if the water is just clear enough, if they can get a glimpse of the submerged ruins.
What is Smith Lake?
Smith Lake, a stunning location that offers panoramic views, amazing sunsets, as well as endless watersports your family is sure to enjoy.
Is Smith Lake Park a good place to walk?
Smith Lake Park has some great walking and bike trails, suitable for kids and big kids!
Does Smith Lake Park have paddle boards?
If skiing or wakeboarding isn’t your thing, and if you’re feeling energetic, Smith Lake Paddle Boards offer rentals, and Smith Lake Park offers Canoe and Kayak rentals for a more relaxed approach to the lake.
Overview
Smith Mountain Lake is a large reservoir in the Roanoke Region of Virginia, United States, 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 small portion, including access to the dam, lies in Pittsylvania County. Bedford County makes up the northern half of the lake with the Roanoke River as the d…
History
Initial proposals were made in the late 1920s to dam the Roanoke River 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 covers 20,600 acres (83 km ) and has over 500 miles (800 km) of shoreline. The north shore of the lake lies entirely in Bedford County.
Geography
The area lies in a broad valley nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains 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 a post office located at 1080 Tolers Ferry Rd, Huddleston, VA 24104. The Booker T. Washington National Monument is near the west end of the lake.
The level of the lake normally varies by one to two feet (0.3 to 0.6 m) during the day and night, as water flows thr…
Recreation and public access
Smith Mountain Lake has become a popular recreational area. Boating, 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 four nearby courses is a popular landside activity.
The majority of access to the lake is through private residential property. About a dozen private marinas provide …
In popular culture
• The 2012 independent film Lake Effects features Smith Mountain Lake. It's a fictional tale of a family raised on and later returning to the lake. The dramatic comedy first aired on the Hallmark Movie Channel during May 2012.
• The lake was featured prominently in the 1991 movie comedy What About Bob?, directed by Frank Oz and starring Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfuss and Julie Hagerty. It served as the stand-in for Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.
External links
• Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce
• SML Dam website (Appalachian Power)
• Graph of SML water levels, tracked by hour (donation-based website)