At the base of Smith Mountain in Pittsylvania and Bedford counties is the Smith Mountain Lake Dam. Built and operated by American Electric Power (formerly Appalachian Power Company), the dam is part of a pumped storage and hydroelectric development project, including Leesville Dam in Campbell and Pittsylvania counties. The original project was completed in 1966 at a cost of more than $66 million. A fifth generating unit at Smith Mountain was finished in 1979 at an additional cost of $37 million.

Smith Mountain Dam Length: 816 feet Height: 235 feet Thickness at Base: 30 feet Type: Double curvature concrete arch Volume of concrete: 175,000 cubic yards Leesville Dam Length: 980 feet Height: 90 feet Thickness at Base: 70 feet Type: Concrete gravity Volume of concrete: 100,000 cubic yards Smith Mountain Lake, created in 1966 by the damming of the Blackwater and Roanoke rivers to generate electricity, has become a vacation mecca. Forty miles long with 500 miles of shoreline, it can rise to 795 feet above sea level at full pond, with very little seasonal or daily variation. Its deepest point is about 250 feet. Water purity is exceptional. Smith Mountain Lake is home to about 14,000 permanent residents. It covers parts of three Virginia counties: Franklin, Bedford, and Pittsylvania Counties. Average air temperatures are 73F in summer and 41F in winter. Annual rainfall averages 43 inches. Annual snowfall averages 10 inches, but most melts in a day or two. Click on the black & white images below for larger views of the dam in the 1960's.  Back to top

Water stored in Smith Mountain Lake drops through the turbine generators in the Smith Mountain Dam powerhouse, thereby producing electricity. Much of the spent water is caught and held by the Leesville Dam (the lower dam in the project) to be pumped back into Smith Mountain Lake for later use. A portion of the water goes through turbine generators at Leesville, creating additional electricity. Generation primarily occurs during the week, when demand for electricity is at its highest. However, water from the lower lake is pumped back into the upper lake on nights, holidays and weekends, when the demand for power is lower. Back to top

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 Overlooking the Smith Mountain Dam is a visitor center that features a slide show on the dam's construction, a three-dimensional terrain map detailing the lake area and a working model of the project. Visitors may also learn how electricity is generated with a hands-on computer exhibit. Outside the center, visitors may walk by ramp to an overlook area for a scenic view of the dam and gorge. There are also picnic areas available. Admission is free and reservations are not required for families and individuals. Call to make arrangements for large groups. Back to top