Smith Mountain Lake warns of exposed shoals

Smith Mountain Lake Association told boaters and swimmers on May 13 to use extra caution as low water exposed hazards that are usually underwater at the Virginia reservoir. The group said water levels were running 5 to 6 feet below typical depths, leaving some routes outside the main channels too shallow for safe passage. Appalachian Power, which operates the Smith Mountain Project, posted a May 13 forebay reading of 790.34 feet, below the project’s normal full-pond elevation of 795 feet. (smlassociation.org) (aep.com) Jeff Markiewicz, chair of the SMLA Water Safety Council, said boaters should “slow down, stay alert, and be aware of their surroundings” to avoid accidents and injuries. (smlassociation.org) The association said exposed rocks, stumps, shoals and debris can create risks for experienced boaters and first-time visitors alike. ### How low is the lake right now? Appalachian Power’s May 13 water-level page listed Smith Mountain at 790.34 feet at 5:12 p.m. Eastern time. The same page listed the project’s normal full-pond elevation at 795 feet, putting the lake roughly 4.7 feet below full pond at that reading. The Smith Mountain Lake Association said conditions across the lake were 5 to 6 feet below typical depths. (smlassociation.org) Local television reports on May 13 cited the same range in describing the boating hazard. ### Which hazards are now showing up? The association said lower water has exposed hazards that are normally submerged, including rocks, stumps, shoals and floating or lodged debris. (smlassociation.org) It published photos of a mid-lake shoal near Rabbit Island and another exposed shoal between the mainland and Beach Island at the mouth of Craddock Creek. (aep.com) WSET reported that areas once used safely for boat traffic may now have rocky hazards closer to the surface. The association said common shortcuts outside marked channels may no longer have enough water for safe passage. (smlassociation.org) ### What are boaters being told to do differently? SMLA told boaters, kayakers, paddleboarders and personal watercraft users to stay in marked channels and slow down in unfamiliar areas. It also urged lake users to know their boat’s draft, watch carefully for shallow water and submerged hazards, and pay close attention to navigational markers and no-wake zones. (smlassociation.org) The association said updated depth finders and lake maps should be used when possible. It also advised checking ramp conditions before launching and checking the cable length on boat lifts before planning a trip. (wset.com) ### What about swimmers and people near docks? SMLA told swimmers not to dive where depth is uncertain, including from docks and shorelines. It also said exposed areas that are usually underwater may be slippery, soft or unstable underfoot. Appalachian Power issued a similar warning on January 13, saying some ramps and launch areas could become temporarily inaccessible because of reduced water levels. (smlassociation.org) The company also told visitors to avoid walking on exposed or muddy lakebeds and to watch for newly exposed hazards near shore. ### Why are levels still low? Appalachian Power said prolonged dry weather and below-average precipitation had pushed the Smith Mountain Project to lower-than-normal levels. (smlassociation.org) In its January 13 notice, the company cited drought conditions and said lake levels depend heavily on rainfall. AEP’s May 13 project notice said inflow to the Smith Mountain Project was 569 cubic feet per second at 5 a.m., while discharge from Leesville was 918 cubic feet per second. (smlassociation.org) The adjusted reservoir elevation in that notice was 791.0 feet. ### Where can lake users check conditions before heading out? Appalachian Power said current lake levels for the Smith Mountain Project are posted on its recreation water-levels page. (appalachianpower.com) The Smith Mountain Lake Association said lake users should also check current lake conditions and weather forecasts before going out on the water. The next update for boaters will come from those same sources as conditions change. Appalachian Power updates water-level information on its hydro page, and the association said more boating safety information is available through its website. (appalachianpower.com) (smlassociation.org) (aep.com)