Smith Mountain Lake four feet below normal

Appalachian Power said on May 15 that drought conditions had forced operational changes at the Smith Mountain Project, leaving Smith Mountain Lake and Leesville Lake at unusually low levels ahead of Memorial Day weekend. WSLS reported on May 18 that Smith Mountain Lake was about four feet below normal as of Monday, exposing more shoreline than visitors typically see. The low water has prompted warnings for boaters, swimmers and anglers as one of the lake’s busiest holiday periods approaches. Smith Mountain Lake Association has also urged visitors to use extra caution because hazards that are usually underwater may now be exposed. ### How far down is the lake, and who said so? WSLS reported on May 18 that Smith Mountain Lake was sitting about four feet below normal as of Monday, May 18. The station said the drop was revealing more shoreline than beachgoers are used to seeing at the lake. Appalachian Power said on May 15 that ongoing drought conditions across the region had left both Smith Mountain Lake and Leesville Lake with unusually low water levels. (appalachianpower.com) The company said those conditions had already led it to change operations at the Smith Mountain Project in an effort to conserve water. ### Why are officials treating this as a holiday-weekend issue? (wsls.com) Memorial Day weekend is the immediate concern because Smith Mountain Lake draws heavy recreational traffic, and the lower water changes what people will encounter at beaches, ramps and near shorelines. WSLS said the exposed shoreline was already visible before the holiday, when lake traffic typically increases. (appalachianpower.com) The Smith Mountain Lake Association said on May 13 that lower lake levels can expose rocks, stumps, shoals and debris that are normally underwater. The group told lake users to take extra precautions while boating, swimming, fishing and enjoying waterfront activities this season. ### What has changed on the water and at access points? (wsls.com) Appalachian Power said in a Jan. 13 notice that some boat ramps and launch areas may be temporarily inaccessible because of reduced water levels. That warning remained relevant in May as drought conditions persisted and the company continued modified operations at the project. WSLS said the lower lake level had also changed the look of public swimming areas by exposing more beach. (smlassociation.org) The station’s May 18 report focused on the visible retreat of the waterline as visitors prepared for the holiday weekend. ### What are boaters and swimmers being told to do differently? (appalachianpower.com) Smith Mountain Lake Association said boaters and swimmers should assume that familiar routes and shorelines may not look the same under low-water conditions. The group said exposed hazards can sit just below the surface or appear in places lake users do not normally expect them. (wsls.com) Appalachian Power said earlier this year that the public should exercise caution around Smith Mountain Lake during prolonged dry weather. The company’s notices tied the lower-than-normal lake level to below-average precipitation and drought conditions. ### Is this part of a longer drought pattern? Appalachian Power’s notices from January, February and May show the low-water issue has stretched across months, not days. (smlassociation.org) In February, the company said a required generator test would lower the lake by about two feet, while noting that the water surface elevation was already below normal because of drought. (appalachianpower.com) Smith Mountain Lake Association said in a January stream-monitoring update that its latest results showed the impact of the area drought. That report linked broader dry conditions to environmental changes around the lake basin. ### What comes next for visitors and residents? May 30 is the next scheduled public safety event tied to lake conditions. (appalachianpower.com) Smith Mountain Lake Association said its Water Safety Roundup will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Goodhue Boat Company – Blackwater, with the group and local law enforcement agencies participating. (smlassociation.org 1) (smlassociation.org 2)