We were shocked to see the water level at Smith Mountain Lake today. After months of little rain and drought conditions for the past two summers, Smith Mountain Lake reached full pond (795 feet) on January 10th. It's lowest level in 2008 was 789.54 feet.
Appalachian Power which operates the hydroelectric project at SML and Leesville Lake, stopped following the lower output variance (400 cubic feet per second) when the lake reached full pond. Normally water is released at 650 cfs, the variance allowed water to be released at a slower 400cfs until reaching full pond. AEP had been releasing less water than its federal license required in an effort to keep the lake levels up.
The Stationary Dock to the left- the water level was down four feet. Look at how low our floater is - Oct 2008
Feb13, 2009- Water level is up to the neighbors Stationary Dock, Our floater is only one foot below our stationary dock.
Our floater today- This is great news especially since we haven't had spring rains yet,
