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Smith Mountain Lake, VA Area Guide

Smith Mountain Lake was a man-made lake, created to generate electricity and help manage water flows downstream and nearby.  The lake is 40-mile long and 20,600 acres, with 500 miles of shoreline, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of rural southwestern Virginia.  The damming of the Blackwater and Roanoke Rivers formed Smith Mountain Lake in a filling process that began on September 24, 1963 -- and ended almost 2.5 years later on March 7, 1966.  Smith Mountain Lake's surface covers 32 square miles.
For more details on Smith Mountain Lake, please visit their official website at: http://smith-mountain-lake.com.

History

(The following information on Smith Mountain Lake’s history has been directly sourced from: http://smith-mountain-lake.com/#howitworks.  To learn more, please click on the link provided.)
Built and operated by Appalachian Power Company, Smith Mountain Lake and Dam (the "Smith Mountain Project") was first conceived in 1924. But many considered the project impractical until the pouring of concrete at Smith Mountain Gap began in June 1961. By November 1962, Virginia roads and bridges that would be affected by the lake had been rebuilt. On September 24, 1963, the Smith Mountain Dam was closed and the lake began to form. Two and one-half years later, on March 7, 1966, the 20,600-acre Smith Mountain Lake reached "full-pond" at 795 feet above sea level.
Smith Mountain Dam is 235 feet tall, 816 feet long, and 30 feet thick. Its five hydroelectric power-generating units produce 656,000 kilowatts. The first four units cost $66 million in 1964; the fifth unit cost $37 million in 1979.
The operation of Smith Mountain Dam uses two natural resources, water and coal, through a process known as pumped storage. Water from Smith Mountain Lake goes through turbine generators in the Smith Mountain Dam powerhouse and produces electricity. Instead of the "used" water rushing downstream, much of it is caught by the Leesville Dam, a smaller dam below Smith Mountain Dam. The water is then pumped back into Smith Mountain Lake and used again. Some passes through turbine generators in Leesville, making more electricity.

Community Features

Among the many water activities at Smith Mountain Lake are power boating, canoeing, sailing, parasailing, swimming, fishing, water skiing, wakeboarding, and jet skiing. The Smith Mountain lakefront includes seven public boat launching sites and many public and private marinas.
If you enjoy fishing, you'll be pleased to know that Smith Mountain Lake stocks striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass -- and is home to blackmouth bass, crappie, catfish, and muskellunge. Walleyes, although no longer stocked, breed naturally. Smith Mountain Lake and its neighbor Leesville Lake hold two Virginia state freshwater records -- a 53 lb. striped bass and a 2 lb. 6 oz. Roanoke bass. The 2004 season's final CITGO Bassmaster Northern Open fishing tournament was held at Smith Mountain Lake. ESPN nationally broadcast the Blue Ridge Brawl Pro Tournament (a Bassmaster Elite Series Event) here in 2007, and awarded nearly $700,000 in prizes. If you plan to fish at SML, please note that a Virginia State Fishing License is required.
Off-water you'll enjoy sightseeing that includes many spectacular views of the lake's mountainous 500-mile shoreline. Five challenging golf courses surround the lake. The Smith Mountain Lake State Park includes many miles of hiking trails. The well-maintained but narrow, winding roads with no shoulders make bicycling unsafe. (Drivers: Please pay careful attention to the road ahead at all times.) Smith Mountain Lake also offers picnicking, camping, hunting, antiquing, shopping, and relaxing. Restaurants at waterfront and nearby offer everything from pizza and sandwiches to prime rib buffets and gourmet cuisine.
Most land and water activities are available at Smith Mountain Lake State Park or within a short drive ... so rent a lakeview or lakefront property, and enjoy yourself! If you visit SML with a young child, and need to rent a stroller or furniture for your baby, try The Baby Biz.

Amusements at Smith Mountain Lake

Hot Shots family entertainment center features a miniature golf course, bumper boat pool with water blasters, and a large selection of video and arcade games. Refreshments, pizza and sandwiches are also available. Harbortown Miniature Golf Course is located over the water on the Smith Mountain Lake.  A game arcade is located nearby. Westlake Safari Mini Golf features miniature golf with food available at the adjacent Joe's Restaurant..

Churches at Smith Mountain Lake

Several churches near Smith Mountain Lake operate websites that provide details about their worship programs and services.

Cruising & Sailing at Smith Mountain Lake

To view lakefront scenery and homes from the water (April-December), you can cruise the Virginia Dare, a 19th century side paddlewheeler. The 2-hour cruise, which starts near Smith Mountain Lake State Park, covers 10 miles of the easternmost shores of SML, including Smith Mountain Dam. Lunch or dinner is available onboard; there's also an inexpensive sightsee-only option. 540-297-7100.

Sailing is popular at SML, especially near the dam -- where the water is "widest" and winds are strongest. If you're not already a sailor, you can learn to sail at SML Sailing School.

Golf Courses at Smith Mountain Lake

Golf is a prime attraction at Smith Mountain Lake. Two private waterfront golf courses serve residents of The Waterfront and The Water's Edge subdivisions. Three public and semi-private golf courses serve vacationers -- and Smith Mountain Lake residents who live outside those subdivisions.  Mariner's Landing is an 18-hole, par 72, 5,170-7,155 yard championship golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones. Sycamore Ridge is an 18-hole, par 71, 6,300-yard golf course.  The Westlake is an 18-hole, par 72, 6,511-yard golf course designed by Russell Breeden.

Horseback Riding at Smith Mountain Lake

Smith Mountain Farm & Stables offers guided horseback trail riding by appointment only. The gentle pace allows you to view Smith Mountain as you ride through open fields, woods, creeks and steep inclines. The stable is located near the southeastern corner of Smith Mountain Lake.

Booker T. Washington National Monument

While at Smith Mountain Lake, many visitors stop to see the Booker T. Washington National Monument. The monument is one of only twelve African-American history sites of the 375 National Park Service units in existence. It was constructed in June of 1957 by Presidential Proclamation. The park commemorates the life of Booker T. Washington. It's a unique experience that allows the American public to view what slavery was like and how the plantation system worked. Located on the old Burrough's plantation, it allows people to see how unkindly most slaves were treated.
Booker Taliaferro Washington was born a slave on the Burrough's tobacco plantation in 1856 and died in 1915. After being freed at age 9, he left the plantation to pursue an education. He is now remembered internationally as an educator, author, orator, college president, and spokesman for African-Americans.
The Booker T. Washington National Monument includes preserved plantation buildings -- slave quarters, a tobacco barn, a smokehouse, and a tool shop. There are also farm animals -- pigs, ducks, turkeys, geese, chickens, and cows -- for children (and their parents) to enjoy.

Parks and Recreation
(For this and more information on Smith Mountain Lake’s parks and recreations, please visit: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/smi.shtml#recreation.)

GENERAL INFO: Although situated on the second largest body of freshwater in the state, Smith Mountain Lake State Park is not just for water enthusiasts. In addition to a full range of water related activities, including swimming, fishing and boating, the park offers miles of hiking trails, housekeeping cabins, camping, picnicking, a visitor center and interpretive programs.