Current News
Smith Mountain, Leesville Residents Reminded Of Call-In Reporting Number For Floating Debris
Rocky Mount, Va., Sept. 9, 2011 - Recent heavy rains in Southwestern Virginia have washed natural and man-made debris into the two reservoirs of the Smith Mountain Hydroelectric Project and Appalachian Power is reminding area property owners of its centralized process for reporting areas of debris.
Residents of Smith Mountain and Leesville Lakes can call 1-800-956-4237 to report floating and dangerous debris in navigable channels. Callers should be ready to give a description and location of the debris.
The number is the company’s Customer Solutions Center (CSC) used by Appalachian Power’s electricity customers. The Appalachian Power CSC is available to callers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
An Appalachian representative will take pertinent information from callers and forward it to the company’s Hydro Generation Department where it will be tracked and handled in accordance with new operating license requirements and relevant management plans.
The two lakes encompass more than 24,000 surface acres of water and about 600 miles of shoreline with many small coves. The phone-in process allows the company to more easily track where debris has accumulated.
Not all debris will be removed by Appalachian. The priority is debris in the main channel that presents a boating hazard. Debris along the shoreline and in the back of coves outside of the main channel will be removed if it appears it could become a hazard to boating.
Debris that is considered wildlife habitat will not be removed. There will be times when debris blocks private docks where it is the responsibility of the owner to have it removed.
Boaters and others using lakes for recreational activities should be aware of floating debris, particularly after heavy local rains or upstream flooding, and use safe boating practices and appropriate speed when on the water.
The new call-in process for the Smith Mountain Project went into effect in 2010.
For other lake-related issues, such as permit applications for in-water construction, shoreline vegetation work or questions regarding the Shoreline Management Plan, residents or businesses should continue to contact the Appalachian Hydro office in Rocky Mount at 540-489-2556.
Visitors Center Above Smith Mountain Dam Open For Visitors
Sandy Level, Va., Sept. 8, 2011 – Appalachian Power has reopened its Visitors Center and observation area at the Smith Mountain Hydroelectric Project.
The company recently completed work on the exhibit area at the site located on the Bedford County side of the Smith Mountain gap.
Appalachian Power has updated exhibits which tell the history of the project and show how power is generated at the unique two-lake complex.
The center is open Tuesday through Saturday each week, from 9:00 a.m. until 5 p.m. Exhibits and the overlook area close at 4:30 p.m. The center is open on Sundays between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. through Labor Day
There is no admission charge. Visitors can follow signs from Route 40 to “Smith Mountain Dam.”
The picnic area located below the Smith Mountain Dam on Leesville Lake is open to the public every day of the week.
Smith Mountain lake boaters adviced of missing navigation marker
Rocky Mount, Va., May 27, 2011 – For the second time in less than a week a boater has destroyed a navigation marker in an active area of Smith Mountain Lake.
Boaters should be aware that the R-16 marker will be missing during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The marker was located near Smith Mountain Lake State Park in what is known as the S-Curve, a high traffic area on the reservoir.
Since the boater left the scene, Appalachian Power has no additional information on the accidental or intentional damage to the marker. However, the company’s call center was contacted by others who noticed the missing sign. The incident probably occurred last night.
Appalachian Power workers today removed the debris as well as the broken piling below the water surface. Contractors will not be able to replace the structure and marker until Tuesday.
On Saturday night, another boater destroyed a second navigation marker that was replaced Thursday.
Persons who see damage to navigation markers on the reservoir should call and report it to Appalachian Power at 800-956-4237.
Smith Mountain Lakeside residents reminded of call-in reporting number for floating debris
Rocky Mount, Va., March 15, 2011 – Recent heavy rains in Southwestern Virginia have washed natural and man-made debris into the two reservoirs of the Smith Mountain Hydroelectric Project and Appalachian Power is reminding area property owners of a relatively new centralized process for reporting areas of debris.
The Appalachian Power CSC is available to callers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The number is the company’s Customer Solutions Center (CSC) used by Appalachian Power’s electricity customers.
An Appalachian CSC representative will take pertinent information from callers and forward it to the company’s Hydro Generation Department where it will be tracked and handled in accordance with new operating license requirements and relevant management plans.
“The two lakes encompass more than 24,000 surface acres of water and about 600 miles of shoreline with many small coves,” said Teresa Rogers, Appalachian process supervisor. “This phone-in process allows us to more easily track where debris has accumulated.”
Not all debris will be removed by Appalachian. “Our priority is debris in the main channel that presents a boating hazard. Debris along the shoreline and in the back of coves outside of the main channel will be removed if it appears it could become a hazard to boating,” Rogers said.
Boaters and others using lakes for recreational activities should be aware of floating debris, particularly after heavy local rains or upstream flooding and use safe boating practices and appropriate speed when on the water.