Lake Matters

Lake Matters is a monthly Op-Ed for the Smith Mountain Lake community

  • Smith Mountain Lake Fish Habitats Smith Mountain Lake (SML) is a 20,600-acre pumped storage hydroelectric project owned by Appalachian Power Company (APCO). Though the primary purpose is power generation, SML is an outstanding fishery which supports Black Bass (largemouth and smallmouth), Striped Bass (Stripers), Sunfish, Crappie, White and Yellow Perch,......

  • SMLA’s “Bell Ringer” Water Willow Test Bed Suggests Triploid Sterile Grass Carp May Be Gone Are Invasive Weeds Ready for Return to Smith Mountain Lake? Ten years ago, 6,000 Triploid Sterile Grass Carp were released into Smith Mountain Lake to consume non-native, invasive hydrilla that had clogged many coves. While......

  • Boat Propellers – A Hidden Danger! Boating on Smith Mountain Lake, or any waterway, is a great way to spend a day, weekend, or a vacation. But tragically, the dangers of boating are sometimes overlooked, or not even anticipated. Just a few weeks ago in Myrtle Beach, an 11-year-old girl......