Monitoring Program Finishes 2026 Season With Good Water Quality
Smith Mountain Lake, VA – The SMLA Water Quality Monitoring program recently completed the final monitoring session of 2026. The overall results continue to show very good water quality in Smith Mountain Lake.
“I am very proud of our team of 52 volunteers who conducted a full season of water quality monitoring despite the challenges of low water levels”, says SMLA Director of Water Quality Monitoring, Tom Hardy.
Overall clarity of the water in 2026 was very much in line with 20-year averages. The chief items affecting water clarity are algae and sediment suspended in the water. The lack of rain in the lake watershed this year reduced the sediment being washed into the lake this year. The areas of the lake that have improved the most include Gills Creek and portions of the Blackwater channel.
Levels of Chlorophyll-a in the water are an indication of algae growth. This year, the concentration of Chlorophyll-a was somewhat higher than the corresponding 20-year average. The areas showing the most significant increase usually have the lowest concentrations of Chlorophyll-a, including Craddock Creek and areas closest to the dam.
Phosphorus is a nutrient that can stimulate unwanted excess algae growth in the water in high concentrations. The overall level of phosphorus in the lake in 2026 was in line with the 20-year average.
Water quality results can vary from week to week, from year to year, and from one section of the lake to another. SMLA has posted a series of graphs on the SMLA website that provide 2026 bi-weekly results for each of eight segments of the lake along with 20-year averages to place the 2026 results into context.
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.
Media
