About Smith Mountain Lake
The area around Smith Mountain Lake was home to the Sapony
Indians and became a meeting spot for many tribes up until
the early 1700’s because it was a rich hunting ground.
Early colonial explorers came to the area in the 1670’s
and included John Lederer, Thomas Wood, Thomas Batt and Robert
Fallam who were journeying to the New River Valley. Smith Mountain
Lake is named after Daniel and Gideon Smith who built homes
near the beautiful river. The lake and mountain owe their name
to these brothers.
Smith Mountain Lake was created in 1966 by damming of the
Blackwater and Roanoke rivers to generate electricity. Its
deepest point is about 250 feet. Water purity is exceptional.
Smith Mountain Lake covers parts of three Virginia counties:
Franklin, Bedford, and Pittsylvania. The average air temperature
is 73F in summer and 41F in winter with an annual rainfall
average of about 43 inches. Annual snowfall averages 10 inches.
Smith Mountain Lake is Virginia's second largest lake.
The Dam
The Smith Mountain Lake Dam is located in Pittsylvania and
Bedford counties. Built and operated by the American Electric
Power (formerly Appalachian Power Company), the dam is part
of a pumped storage and hydroelectric development project.
You can go to the vistor center and take a hands on computer
generated tour of the exhibit.
- Location: Route 908 in Pittsylvania
County
- Directions: From route 40 west, turn
left onto route 751, then left onto route 777; this becomes
route 908.
- Hours of operation: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.;
closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and
Christmas Day.
- Phone: 540-985-2587
Click
here to find out more about SML
