• SMLA, Mariner’s Landing and APCO Join Hands to Create a Demonstration Buffer Garden What is a buffer garden? Why do you need one? What plants should be used? What does it cost? For years, the Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA) and Appalachian Power Company (APCO) have touted the attributes of buffer gardens along shorelines for their ability to impede the flow of fertilizer, pollutants, and sediment runoff into SML. Yet, many of our residents don’t appreciate what a buffer garden can do, what one looks like, or how it is designed. SMLA’s Buffer Landscaping Advisory Support Teams visit about 25......

    06 February, 2023

  • SMLA welcomes new members to its Board of Directors: Eric Cheney (Water Safety Council), Nancy Davenport (Treasurer), and Keri Green (Lake Quality Council)....

    06 January, 2023

  • By John Rupnik, Chairman SMLA’s Buffer Landscaping Committee The US Environmental Protection Agency who has reported that runoff from lawns, roads and rooftops is a primary cause of pollution in our waterways. The easiest path for these pollutants to access our pristine water is across our grass. This problematic flow causes many issues with water quality, the most challenging being the growth of algae. With the recent water quality monitoring results showing some areas with elevated bacteria, I wanted to provide you with an actual example of a problem and potential action steps you might take to correct it. They......

    11 August, 2022

  • For the past 51 years Smith Mountain Lake has not aged (based on trophic state) as fast as other similarly sized lakes. However, the increasing potential of homeowner shoreline runoff due to development presents a clear and present danger to our lake, primarily from the nutrients that serve to create Harmful Algae Blooms or HABs.  HABs have been so serious at nearby Lake Anna that a “no swim advisory” was posted for each of the past 3 summers.  How’s that for spoiling a summer vacation!  And we don’t want that here! On Saturday, April 16, John Rupnik, Chair of the SMLA Buffer......

    03 May, 2022

  • Smith Mountain Lake Property Owner, Being a property owner here on the lake, you already know that this beautiful Jewel of the Blue Ridge has much to offer. In fact, it was recently voted one of the best eight lakes in our nation to visit. The Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA) hopes that you find as much enjoyment here as we have, whether you reside here or spend your weekends and vacations on the lake. As you finish your spring cleaning and preparation for the coming lake season, you probably have a checklist of tasks you are working through to......

    30 April, 2022

  • Smith Mountain Lake Association and Save our Streams to offer Stream Monitor Orientation Insects serve as a primary source of food for most species of birds, and freshwater fish live mostly off our insect population.  In fact, most of our mayflies, dragonflies, and midges, among other varieties, never reach adulthood, instead being eaten by the freshwater fish that bring so many anglers to our area. Much like the legendary canaries in the coal mine, insects serve as an early warning system and can tell us a lot about how well our lake stacks up against others.  When pollution tolerant insect......

    03 March, 2020

  • Yesterday, I had the opportunity to take an out-of-town family member for a boat ride up the Blackwater. It was an outstanding August afternoon to enjoy the sunshine, fellowship of family and the beautiful waters of Smith Mountain Lake. My sister-in-law, who is a realtor in Raleigh was quick to tell me how impressed she was with the beautiful homes lining the Blackwater river. I agreed until, as a dedicated member of the Smith Mountain Lake Association, I noticed how many homeowners are growing grass down to their rip rap. I thought to myself, “beautiful houses but, boy oh boy......

    20 August, 2019

  • So, you were attracted to Smith Mountain Lake because of the majesty of the mountain, the tranquility of the countryside and, most importantly, the pristine clarity of the water. If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a hundred times, “I’ve never seen a lake with such beautiful, clear water”.  Those of us who volunteer with the Smith Mountain Lake Association agree and believe that it is our responsibility to make sure the friends of Smith Mountain Lake have the awareness and information they need to keep our lake stunningly beautiful. For the past 32 years, SMLA has kept a......

    27 March, 2019