Smith Mountain Project

UPDATE: SMITH MOUNTAIN PROJECT DEBRIS REMOVAL

ROANOKE, Va., Oct. 24, 2018—Appalachian Power has discovered that several in-lake lateral marks—locally referred to as channel markers—are missing on the Roanoke River arm of Smith Mountain Lake. These are specifically R77, R78 and R85. A sunken boat was discovered in the middle of the channel at R85 creating an additional navigation hazard. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will remove the vessel.
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UNEXPECTED HEAVY THUNDERSTORM CAUSES HIGH WATER AT SMITH MOUNTAIN HYDRO PROJECT

ROANOKE, Va., Sept. 23, 2018 – A thunderstorm pounded the Roanoke and Blackwater river watersheds Saturday night causing heavy inflow into Appalachian Power’s Smith Mountain hydro project in southwestern Virginia.
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HIGH WATER MESSAGE FROM APPALACHIAN POWER

Heavy isolated rains over the Roanoke River watershed have created high water conditions at the Smith Mountain Project and downstream. Smith Mountain Lake has reached its full pond level of 795 ft. elevation and is expected to go higher.
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APPALACHIAN POWER HYDRO FACILITIES REACH TARGET LEVELS IN PREPARATION FOR HURRICANE RAIN IMPACT

Water in hydroelectric facilities operated by Appalachian Power in Virginia has been lowered to target levels in order to manage the potential inflow of heavy rain next week from remnants of Hurricane Florence.
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APPALACHIAN POWER PREPARING FOR POTENTIAL FLORENCE ISSUES AT SMITH MOUNTAIN

Appalachian Power and AEP hydro operations personnel continue to observe hurricane forecasts and possibilities for potential heavy rains at its Smith Mountain Project and other Virginia hydroelectric projects on the New and Roanoke rivers.
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RESCHEDULED LEESVILLE DAM GENERATOR TEST PLANNED THIS WEEK; WILL INCREASE DOWNSTREAM WATER FLOWS

ROANOKE, Va., July 25, 2018 – Appalachian Power will perform a required capacity test of its electricity generating units at the Leesville Dam in southwestern Virginia on Thursday, July 26 beginning at approximately 3 p.m. and lasting through early Friday. The testing was originally planned for July 19, but was rescheduled because of mechanical issues.
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LEESVILLE DAM GENERATOR TEST WILL INCREASE DOWNSTREAM WATER FLOWS

ROANOKE, Va., July 18, 2018 – Appalachian Power will perform a required capacity test of its electricity generating units at the Leesville Dam on Thursday, July 19 beginning at approximately 3 p.m. and lasting through early Friday.
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APPALACHIAN POWER RESPONDING TO INCREASED LAKE DEBRIS FROM STORMS

ROANOKE, Va., May 22, 2018 – Appalachian Power has increased its debris removal activities at the Smith Mountain Project’s two lakes as a result of wash-down from recent heavy rains and high inflows from its rivers and tributaries.
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HEAVY RAINFALL IN ROANOKE RIVER WATERSHED CAN AFFECT SMITH MOUNTAIN PROJECT WATER LEVELS

ROANOKE, Va., May 18, 2018 – Appalachian Power, operator of the Smith Mountain Project hydroelectric facility in southwest Virginia, is cautioning shoreline property owners and boaters because of recent and continuing rainfall in the project’s watershed.
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REAL ESTATE MARKET AT SMITH MOUNTAIN PROJECT SUGGESTS BUSY PERMITTING SEASON

ROANOKE, Va., April 12, 2018 – Appalachian Power reminds property owners at Smith Mountain and Leesville lakes of permitting requirements under its Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) for work done within the lakes’ project boundaries.
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NEW FISHING TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER ANNOUNCED AT SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, Va., Mar. 1, 2018 – Appalachian Power has announced its partnership with Conrad Brothers Marine to sponsor the first Fishing for a Cause fishing tournament at Smith Mountain Lake on April 22, 2018.
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UNDERWATER EXCAVATION BAN IN EFFECT AT SMITH MOUNTAIN PROJECT

ROANOKE, Va., Feb. 12, 2018 – Property owners and contractors at Smith Mountain and Leesville lakes are reminded by Appalachian Power that dredging and excavation are prohibited between February 15 and June 15 annually.
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HALES FORD BRIDGE NAVIGATION LIGHTS BEING REPLACED AT SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE

ROANOKE, Va., Feb. 8, 2018 – Appalachian Power, operator of the Smith Mountain Project hydroelectric facility, is cautioning boaters to be aware of issues with navigation lighting at the Hales Ford Bridge that crosses the lake between Bedford and Franklin counties.
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SMITH MOUNTAIN PROJECT PROPERTY OWNERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF DREDGING REQUIREMENTS

ROANOKE, Va., Jan. 15, 2018 – Appalachian Power urges property owners and contractors working at the Smith Mountain hydroelectric project in southwest Virginia to be aware of permitting and approval requirements before dredging near shorelines within lake boundaries.
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APPALACHIAN POWER UNVEILS NEW SHORELINE MANAGEMENT UPGRADES AT SMITH MOUNTAIN

ROANOKE, Va., Dec. 18, 2017 – Appalachian Power has initiated changes to its Shoreline Management program designed to ease the permitting process for property owners at its Smith Mountain Project, a two-reservoir hydroelectric pumped storage facility in southwest Virginia.
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HARDY FORD PUBLIC ACCESS ON SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE TO BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED

ROANOKE, Va., Dec. 15, 2017 – Appalachian Power will temporarily close the Hardy Ford Public Access area on Smith Mountain Lake for maintenance work beginning December 20.

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE CHANNEL NAVIGATION LIGHTS UPDATED TO GREEN

ROANOKE, Va., Oct. 12, 2017 – Appalachian Power, operator of the Smith Mountain Project hydroelectric facility, is cautioning that it is changing out lights atop a number of lake-posted navigation signs that help boaters around Smith Mountain Lake after dark.

LACK OF ADEQUATE RAINFALL IN ROANOKE RIVER WATERSHED AFFECTS SMITH MOUNTAIN PROJECT WATER LEVELS

ROANOKE, Va., Sept. 28, 2017 – Appalachian Power, operator of the Smith Mountain Project hydroelectric facility in southwest Virginia, is cautioning shoreline property owners and boaters because of the lack of recent sizeable rainfall in the project’s watershed.

APPALACHIAN POWER ANTICIPATING POSSIBLE HYDRO PLANT IMPACTS AHEAD OF REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IRMA

ROANOKE, Va., Sept. 8, 2017 – Appalachian Power is following the ever-changing forecasts and adjusting water levels at its Claytor and Byllesby/Buck hydroelectric plants in southwest Virginia in anticipation of possible heavy rain in the New River watershed from remnants of Hurricane Irma. It is also watching possible rain impacts on its Roanoke River plants.

APPALACHIAN POWER BUILDS UP ITS RESPONSE TO INCREASED DEBRIS IN LEESVILLE LAKE

ROANOKE, Va., Aug. 3, 2017 – Appalachian Power has increased debris removal response at its Smith Mountain Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project—especially on Leesville Lake—to contend with increased loading of mostly-natural debris there.

TESTING OF LEESVILLE DAM GENERATORS WILL INCREASE DOWNSTREAM WATER FLOWS

Appalachian Power will perform a required capacity test of its electricity generating units at the Leesville Dam on Thursday, July 13 beginning at approximately 3 p.m. and lasting through early Friday morning.

BOATERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF POSSIBLE DEBRIS ON SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKES

Continuing rains and high water events near the Smith Mountain Project in southwest Virginia could add more debris into the project’s two reservoirs this weekend.

NOTICE TO SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE RESIDENTS AND VISITORS

Reports to Appalachian Power show that rivers feeding the Smith Mountain Project appear to be cresting. They are trending down, but not very quickly. Based on current gauge readings, the company expects Smith Mountain Lake to reach an elevation 796.2. Full pond is the 795-foot contour elevation. Property owners are encouraged to secure possessions and remove anything from within the Project boundaries that might enter into the reservoir and become a navigational hazard. Please monitor http://www.aep.com/environment/conservation/hydro/ and your local weather service for updated information.

NOTICE TO SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE RESIDENTS AND VISITORS

Please be aware that due to high inflow, Smith Mountain Lake will exceed the normal full pond elevation of 795.0. At this time, water elevation is expected to rise to about 795.75. Although upstream river gauges have slowed in their upward trends, none have crested yet. Once crested, we will have a better idea of the extent of surcharge.
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UPCOMING RACES WILL CLOSE SMITH MOUNTAIN PARK AREA AND COULD CAUSE TRAFFIC HAZARDS NEAR LAKES

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, Va., March 24, 2017 – Roads and public areas around Smith Mountain and Leesville lakes in Bedford and Pittsylvania counties will be affected Saturday, April 1, by the Second Annual Dam 50K ultra race event.
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ANNUAL BAN OF UNDERWATER EXCAVATION IN EFFECT AT SMITH MOUNTAIN PROJECT LAKES

ROANOKE, Va., Feb. 15, 2017 – Appalachian Power reminds residents and property owners at Smith Mountain and Leesville lakes that dredging and excavation are prohibited between February 15 and June 15 every year and are now in effect.
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