Smith Mountain Project

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Smith Mountain Project

Smith Mountain Project is a two-reservoir hydroelectric generation project operated by Appalachian Power and located near Roanoke , Virginia. until 5:00 p.m.

Smith Mountain Project is a two-reservoir hydroelectric generation facility operated by Appalachian Power and located near Roanoke , Virginia. Its unique pumped-storage system provides electricity for the region and, at the same time, is a driver for the surrounding area’s economy and a focal point for residential, tourism and outdoor activities. Built on the Roanoke River and completed in the mid

-1960s, the project’s two dams and reservoirs—Smith Mountain and Leesville—have added about 600 miles of new shoreline and about 25,000 surface acres of water for multiple uses. Smith Mountain Project is a 636-megawatt pumped storage hydroelectric facility that utilizes an upper reservoir (Smith Mountain Lake) and a lower reservoir (Leesville Lake) creating a total of about 500 miles of shoreline. Water stored in Smith Mountain Lake passes through turbine-generators in the powerhouse to produce electricity and is discharged into Leesville Lake. Most of the water is retained in Leesville Lake and pumped back into the Smith Mountain Lake for re-use. Some of the water goes through the turbine-generators at the Leesville powerhouse to generate additional electricity and to meet the minimum discharge requirements of the project's operating license. The visitor’s center at Smith Mountain is open to the public with a view overlooking the dam. Exhibits tell the history of the dam and how power is generated at the unique two-lake complex. The center is open Tuesday through Saturday each week, from 9:00 a.m. Exhibits and the overlook area close at 4:30 p.m. The center is open on Sundays from 1-5 p.m. through Labor Day. There is a picnic area located below the Smith Mountain Dam on Leesville Lake open to the public every day. There is no admission charge for the visitor’s center. Visitors can follow signs from Route 40 to “Smith Mountain Dam”.

04/30/2026

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in coordination with the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force, has issued a drought warning for 83 counties in the Commonwealth including Bedford, Franklin and Pittsylvania counties. This ongoing issue has created low water levels at the Smith Mountain Project (Smith Mountain & Leesville lakes) and other bodies of water across the region.

We urge boaters to check real-time water levels at http://ms.spr.ly/6187vylZZ and use extreme caution while recreating on the lake.

04/02/2026

Schedule Notice: The Smith Mountain Visitor Center and Overlook will be closed on Friday, April 3. Regular hours will resume on Monday, April 6. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

02/13/2026

Appalachian Power Company (APCo) will conduct a required test of its electricity generating units at the Smith Mountain Dam, beginning in the early morning hours on Monday, Feb. 16.

Testing, which is required twice a year, will decrease the Smith Mountain Lake by approximately two feet. APCo will begin pumping water back into Smith Mountain Lake (from Leesville Lake) later in the afternoon on Monday, and as conditions allow. The “pump back” process is expected to be completed sometime on Wednesday, Feb. 18.

The test was originally planned for Monday, Feb. 9; however, PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in the mid-Atlantic region, requested APCo to reschedule the test due to demand on the power grid.

See more information at http://ms.spr.ly/6185QrJXP.

02/10/2026

⚠️ WATER LEVEL UPDATE ⚠️

Due to increased demand, the scheduled test has been cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date. Communication will be made available prior to the rescheduled date.

Real-time water levels can be found at the link in the original post below.

We thank you for your cooperation.

02/06/2026

Appalachian Power Company (APCo) will test generating units at Smith Mountain Dam starting early Monday, Feb. 9. Testing will lower Smith Mountain Lake by ~2 feet; APCo will begin pumping water back from Leesville Lake Monday afternoon as conditions allow, with pump‑back expected to finish by Wednesday, Feb. 11.

Ongoing drought has already reduced surface levels, so boaters launching from public ramps early Monday may not be able to get their boats onto the trailer upon return. Increased flows from Leesville Dam will occur as needed; below Leesville Dam levels could rise up to 8 feet in about 7 hours.

PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission organization coordinating wholesale electricity in the mid‑Atlantic, has issued a cold‑weather alert beginning this weekend and into next week—if PJM calls on APCo for extra power, the test will not interfere with APCo’s ability to generate.

Real‑time water levels can be found here: http://ms.spr.ly/6187Q3VuF

01/29/2026

Frigid temperatures are expected to continue throughout the weekend and into early next week. PJM Interconnection, an independent regional transmission organization that manages the electric grid in 13 states, has notified APCo that the severe weather could lead to a request for increased power generation at its hydroelectric plants to help maintain regional grid reliability.

If increased power generation is needed, water levels on the Roanoke River could rise rapidly over the next several days. Boaters, fishermen and other recreational users downstream of Leesville dam should be prepared for changing conditions.

Visit http://ms.spr.ly/6189QHThB to see real-time water levels at APCo facilities.

01/21/2026

⚠️ Water levels on the New and Roanoke rivers could rise rapidly starting Friday, Jan. 23, and may fluctuate through the following week. Appalachian Power Company (APCo) is alerting boaters, fishermen and other recreational users downstream of Claytor and Leesville dams to be prepared for changing conditions.

❄️ The National Weather Service is forecasting frigid temperatures. PJM Interconnection (PJM), an independent regional transmission organization that manages the electric grid in 13 states, has notified APCo that it may request increased power generation at its hydroelectric plants to help maintain regional grid reliability if needed.

➡️ See more: http://ms.spr.ly/6189Q8Dpv.

01/16/2026

Water levels on the New and Roanoke rivers could rise rapidly starting Monday, January 19, and may fluctuate through the week. Appalachian Power Company (APCo) is alerting boaters, fishermen and other recreational users downstream of Claytor and Leesville dams to be prepared for changing conditions. ⚠️

The National Weather Service is forecasting frigid temperatures next week, and PJM, the independent regional transmission organization that manages the electric grid in 13 states, has notified APCo that it may need to increase power generation at its hydroelectric plants to maintain the reliability of the regional electric grid if called upon to do so. Current water levels at Smith Mountain Project and Claytor Dam will not affect APCo’s ability to generate power. 💡

See more details ➡️ http://ms.spr.ly/6189tCUa5.

01/13/2026

Prolonged dry weather has reduced Smith Mountain Lake levels. Some boat ramps and launch areas may be temporarily inaccessible. Please:

🚤 Check ramp/launch status before traveling.
⚠️ Follow closure signs and barricades.
🦺 Wear a life jacket near the water.
🌊 Avoid walking exposed/muddy lakebeds.

See more below. ⬇️

Prolonged dry weather and below-average precipitation have led to a lower-than-normal lake level at Appalachian Power Company’s (APCo) Smith Mountain Project. With winter fishing and other lake activities underway, APCo urges the public to exercise caution around Smith Mountain Lake. Some boat ram...

12/11/2025

⚠️ MARKED WATERWAY UPDATE ⚠️

Lateral mark BU5 near Bull Run and Little Bull Run on the Blackwater side of the lake has been knocked over, but is secure. We have notified officials of the situation. Due to the current weather conditions and for the safety of our work crews, we are scheduling repairs for early next week when the weather is forecast to be more favorable.

Please be mindful when approaching this area. We thank you for your patience and cooperation.

11/25/2025

Exciting news from Smith Mountain Lake! Our team recently teamed up with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources to enhance fish habitats. Newly constructed nursery structures will provide a safe haven for young fish and promote the growth of algae, creating a healthier ecosystem.

🔗 Read more: http://ms.spr.ly/6181tnklf.

Appalachian Power employees recently assisted the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) with a habitat project designed to increase fish populations in Smith Mountain Lake.

Address

2072 Ford Road
Sandy Level, VA
24137

Website

http://smithmountainproject.com/

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