Tri-County Lakes Administrative Commission - TLAC

05/27/2026

We're Hiring!

Need a summer job? We're looking for some hard-working individuals to work our Vessel Pump Out Program (VPOP), a cooperative effort with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA).

- Environmental Specialist | Part Time | $19.60/hr
- Direct Service Associate | Part Time | $17.00/hr

Both positions are weekend-only through early September.

For more information, please visit www.bedfordcountyva.gov/jobs or contact [email protected]

05/26/2026

We're looking for two volunteers to join our Environmental Committee.

Committee members support ongoing efforts involving water quality, aquatic vegetation, and the overall health of the lake.

Meetings are held in the TLAC conference room and are scheduled on an as needed basis at a time and date agreed upon by the committee members.

If you're passionate about the environment and want to get involved, fill out the attached application, or grab a copy from our office at 400 Scruggs Rd, Suite 200, Moneta, VA 24121

Contact us if you are interested or would like additional information.

TRI-COUNTY LAKES ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION 400 Scruggs Rd., Suite 200, Moneta, Virginia 24121 Telephone: (540) 721-4400 Fax: (540) 721-4450 E-mail: [email protected] APPLICATION TO SERVE ON COMMITTEE (Please type or print) Committee of Interest ________________________________________ Da...

05/23/2026

Heading out for Memorial Day weekend? Keep your crew safe with the Water Sports Foundation’s top 8 tips for one of the busiest boating weekends of the year:

1. Take a boater safety course
2. Always wear a life jacket
3. Designate a sober driver
4. Use your engine cutoff switch
5. Monitor the weather forecast
6. Carry a VHF radio – don’t only rely on cellphones
7. File a float plan with a friend
8. Give a safety brief to your passengers before leaving the dock

To read more, find the Water Sports Foundation article here: https://www.watersportsfoundation.com/wsf-news/water-sports-foundation-shares-eight-top-boating-tips-for-memorial-day-weekend/

05/22/2026

Use Caution Around Rock and Shoal Buoys

As we recognize Boater Safety Week and National Maritime Day, it’s a great time to refresh your safe boating knowledge.

At Smith Mountain Lake, lower lake levels are exposing hidden hazards. Use extra caution and give all hazard buoys, both rock and shoal, wide berth.

● Respect every hazard buoy and allow ample space between the boat and the buoy. Rocks and shoals often extend beyond the marker.
● Never pass between a shoal or rock buoy and the shoreline.
● If multiple buoys are marking the same hazard area, do not pass between them. Navigate around the entire area.
● Watch your depth closely near shoal and rock markers and monitor changing water conditions.
● Slow down in unfamiliar or shallow waters to allow more time to react and avoid hidden hazards.

In any condition, underwater hazards can be difficult to spot until it’s too late. What is visible from your boat may not show you the full danger that lies below.

Stay alert, plan ahead, and enjoy the water responsibly. A few extra precautions can help prevent serious damage or injury.

05/21/2026

It's Boater Safety Week and we're making sure the ENTIRE crew is protected!

Even strong swimmers can tire quickly, struggle in rough waters, or have difficulty getting back onto a boat or dock. A properly fitted dog life jacket helps keep your furry friend safe while enjoying the lake.

Before heading out:
- Make sure the jacket fits snugly
- Use bright colors for visibility
- Check for a sturdy grab handle
- Pack your pup plenty of water and prepare for shade breaks

📸 Is your dog ready for the lake? Share a picture of your furry friends wearing their life jackets below!

While we know lake levels are lower than usual, that just means being a little more mindful as you navigate and enjoy your time on the lake. Conditions may look a bit different than usual, so it’s always good to stay aware, and stay safe.

05/20/2026

Lower lake levels are causing some docks and boats to sit partially grounded in mud while still floating. Hazardous wakes can increase the impact on these exposed areas, leading to potential damage.

As the boating season begins, the Wake Education Task Force would like to remind you to Wake Smarter and follow these four tips to protect everyone's safety, property, and enjoyment of the lake

05/20/2026

We will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026 in observance of Memorial Day.

We will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

05/19/2026

Boater Safety Week is a great time to remember that safety starts before you leave the dock.

Life jackets save lives. Wear one every trip, every time.

Whether you’re boating or fishing, wearing a life jacket is the simplest and most important step you can take for safety.

There must be one U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person on the boat. Make sure that they are properly fitting, and either worn or immediately accessible.

Federal law requires Children under 13 must wear a life jacket at all times when boating, unless they are in an enclosed cabin. Life jackets are advised to be bright colors for clear visibility when swimming.

While we know lake levels are lower than usual, that just means being a little more mindful as you navigate and enjoy your time on the lake. Conditions may look a bit different than usual, so it’s always good to stay aware, and stay safe.

For more information on boater safety, please visit https://tricountylakes.org/navigation/lake-safety/

05/15/2026

Smith Mountain Lake is getting a major navigation makeover.

Appalachian Power, working in partnership with the Tri-County Lakes Administrative Commission (TLAC) and other Federal, State, and local groups, has rolled out a comprehensive update to Smith Mountain Lake’s Aids to Navigation (ATON) system. The changes span the length of the lake and its tributary arms — from the upper Roanoke River to the winding upper reaches of Blackwater River, Gills Creek, Louse Creek, and Craddock Creek. The scope is substantial: numerous marks are being added, relocated, renamed, or removed, and an entirely new category of navigational marker is making its debut on SML waters.

For more details, click here:
https://smlassociation.org/2026/05/12/navigational-aids-changes-what-every-sml-boater-needs-to-know/

05/14/2026

NEWS RELEASE: Drought Advisory Update Virginia Department of Environmental Quality sent this bulletin at 05/14/2026 02:44 PM EDT View as a webpage / Share DEQ.Virginia.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 14, 2026 CONTACT: Weedon Cloe(804) [email protected] DROUGHT ADVISORY UPDATE Entir...