First SMLA Water Quality Monitoring 2026 Program Results
SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, VA – A team of 51 volunteers has just completed the first bi-weekly session of 2026 water quality monitoring on Smith Mountain Lake. Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA) Director of Water Quality Monitoring Tom Hardy finds that the findings of this first round of monitoring are consistent with very good health of the lake.
Although lake water levels are lower than usual, the monitoring results support an overall assessment that SMLA is clean and safe for recreation.
Water clarity readings and water samples were taken at 84 locations on the lake and were analyzed by scientists at Ferrum College to assess the overall health of the lake. The three key parameters analyzed from the collected samples are water clarity, chlorophyll-a, and phosphorus.
Water clarity reflects the volume of particles suspended in the water, primarily algae and sediment. The average water clarity across all sites in the lake for the week ending May 23 measured 2.16 meters, a significant improvement compared to the 20-year average of 1.99 meters during the same time of year in previous years. This result was expected due to the minimal rainfall experienced since last fall.
Chlorophyll-a is a measure of the volume of algae growing in the lake and is expressed in terms of parts per billion ( ppb.) The average concentration of chlorophyll-a across all sites for the week ending May 23 was 7.94 ppb. This result is within a satisfactory range.
Phosphorus is a key nutrient for all living organisms. Too much phosphorus in the water can contribute to undesirable growth of algae. The average concentration of phosphorus in the lake was 39.75 ppb, a slight increase compared to the 20-year average of 37.42 ppb.
Results for specific locations around the lake can vary significantly from the lake-wide averages. Detailed results are available at the SMLA website. Results from each of eight zones on the lake are provided.
In addition to the samples collected by volunteers, scientists from Ferrum College collect bi-weekly water samples at 14 locations on the lake and test them for the presence of bacteria. In the week ending May 23, all locations sampled measured levels well within the Virginia Dept of Environmental Quality guideline for bacteria in recreational waters.
About SMLA
The Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA) mission is to keep Smith Mountain Lake clean and safe. Established in 1969, SMLA is the longest serving advocate for the SML community. Activities help to retain the pristine beauty of Smith Mountain Lake and the vibrant local economy. SMLA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) volunteer-led organization that relies on memberships, donations, and grants to support programs that protect SML.
