Smith Mountain Lake News » Lake Living

Smith Mountain Lake Fun Facts

Paul Moore — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:56:42 +0000

Some of you reading this already know many of the facts about Smith Mountain Lake, but many of you may not. So I thought it would be fun to present a broad brush version of the lake as a whole.

Smith Mountain Lake was formed in the 1960s as a power generation project of Appalachian Power, part of American Electric Power (AEP). It is the result of a 235-foot tall dam in a gap of Smith Mountain on the Roanoke River channel in Pittsylvania County.

The main channels of the lake total about 40 miles along the basins of two main rivers, the Roanoke and the Blackwater, which join a few miles west of the dam and flow together to form the widest part of the lake. The Roanoke River channel flows south-southeast from the city of Roanoke to the lake, and it generally provides a border between Franklin County on the southwest and Bedford County on the northeast shore. The Blackwater River Channel generally flows west to east through Franklin County until it joins the Roanoke River Channel near the Pittsylvania County border. At the point where the main channels join, the combined main channel flows east to the dam and provides a border between Bedford County on the north and Pittsylvania County on the south shore.

In addition to the two main channels, there are numerous other tributaries that were backed up as a result of the dam at Smith Mountain. Since the dam provided a water level at 795 feet above sea level along all of these creeks and stream basins, several creeks are as broad in places as parts of the main channel itself.

Those familiar with the lake throw around the names of tributaries as though they are talking about separate entities from the lake. Comments such as try out that Marina on the east side of Craddock Creek or the striper bass are really running near the mouth of Bettys Creek may seem confusing to newcomers, but youll quickly become accustomed to the local lingo. Some of the main tributaries in Bedford County are Witcher Creek, Hatcher Creek and Craddock Creek. Major tributaries in Franklin County include Bull Run, Bettys Creek, Beckys Creek, Gills Creek, Lynville Creek and several more.

Navigation
One of the many wonderful features of Smith Mountain Lake is the numbered navigation channel marker system on both the main channels and the tributaries. The Roanoke Channel numbers start at R1 near the dam and extend west, then north/northwest, toward Roanoke, ending with R80 near the Hardy Bridge. The Blackwater Channel and all other marked channels are numbered starting at the point where they join the main channel and work up from there. C1, for example, would be the first marker where Craddock Creek joins the Roanoke Channel near the chain of three islands northwest of the dam. As boaters proceed up through the C series, they would be progressing north on Craddock Creek to its end at C8 near Mariners Landing.

Not only are the channel markers numbered, but they are color-coded and lighted for navigational ease. Red and green lights guide a boater through the center of the channel on a dark night, and the numbers make it easy to stay on course by day. With a map in hand, this system makes Smith Mountain Lake a prime place to fish by day or night year-round. I have taken many clients and friends out to dinner by boat and returned home with relative ease late at night. My wife and I enjoyed the full moon rising over Smith Mountain by boat before midnight on her birthday last August 3rd. It would have been challenging making this beautiful memory without the wonderful navigational marker system. A handheld or boat-mounted GPS system also works great here, showing the details of channels, coves and inlets across our vast mountain lake.

Shoreline
Though Smith Mountain Lake has only about 40 miles of main river channels, it boasts an impressive 500+ miles of total shoreline. This figure is staggering as one considers that this is the approximate highway distance from here to New York City! This shoreline figure is a testimony to the many large tributaries that flow into the lake as well as the lovely, rolling nature of the Blue Ridge Mountain terrain that makes up Smith Mountain Lakes borders. This terrain gives Smith Mountain Lake many hundreds of coves, inlets, twists and turns that make for breathtaking views, marvelous home sites, and practically unlimited spots to anchor a boat for a picnic lunch, swim, watch a romantic sunset, or catch a double-digit weight striped bass.

Islands
In addition to its many coves and inlets, the rolling Blue Ridge Mountain terrain has provided Smith Mountain Lake with many lovely islands. These islands are formed from old mountain tops or ridge lines. A few of these islands are privately owned but most are available for the publics enjoyment. Boaters regularly anchor their crafts offshore, providing a place for kids to wade in the sand and swim. Some stop for a picnic lunch or explore the trails. Many people have found great fishing holes off island shores.

Merry Christmas at Smith Mountain Lake

Paul Moore — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:36:11 +0000

We want to wish all the wonderful folks at Smith Mountain Lake a Beautiful Christmas and a marvelous New Year full of blessings and productive adventures. And if you need a last minute Christmas gift for someone hard to buy for – or perhaps someone you forgot…..check out the unique possibilities below.

Give a Virginia Dare Cruise for Christmas!! Gift Certificates Available Now. What could be better? You don’t have to worry about what size, what color or if they are going to like it. You know they will love a cruise!! Call 540-297-7100 Ext 0 or www.vadarecruises.

VitaZen has unique holiday gifts! From Beanpod Candles (buy 3 get 1 free) to electric yogurt makers. VitaZen is open every day until Christmas. Located at 12787 BT Washington Hwy. 540-721-9365 Have a Healthy Happy Holidays!

Landscape Solutions- a year-round Landscape and Hardscape service is selling FIREWOOD for $90.00 (pick-up size load) delivered and stacked. We will also be available throughout the winter for: Leave and storm clean-ups, snow plowing, paver patio installation, etc. Call Mike at 540-537-9329 for a free estimate.

SUNSHINE CONCIERGE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL! Buy 4 hours and get 1 hour FREE!! Give the Gift of Time…Call Sunshine Concierge. In Home Senior Care, Errands, Meals, Housecleaning and much more.Call 580-4125 for Gift Certificates.

Come to Downtown Moneta this Christmas season. Shop here for jewelry, gifts, collectibles, antiques, home décor, magic, sporting goods, pet items, baby gifts, toys, and more. Have dinner at one of 7 restaurants, or get together with friends. We’re just 3 ½ miles north of the bridge on Route 122.

2012 Calendar for Cat Lovers at Smith Mountain Lake

Paul Moore — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:58:20 +0000

There is an exotic breed of cat that is becoming more popular in the US and has several fans at Smith Mountain Lake as well. The Highland Lynx is a hybrid believed by some to have bobcat blood in it’s family tree. These incredible cats are often larger than average, growing up to 25lbs. where the average domestic cat is rarely more than 15lbs. They are usually born with wild looking spotted or striped coat patterns, bobtails and large poly-dactyl paws. They have marvelous personalities and very few who cat lovers who buy them stop at just one.

The Highland Lynx cat has become so well known and desired by cat lovers everywhere, that Animal Planet’s Cats 101 is expected to be airing a show on them sometime in December of this year.

Perhaps you love cats but can’t (or don’t wish to) buy an expensive one. Well, you can still enjoy the exotic beauty of the Highland Lynx because there is now a 2012 Highland Lynx Cat Calendar full of photos of these gorgeous cats! There is a Highland Lynx breeder in Franklin County, Virginia who wished to see her favorite breed on a calendar all year long, and since there was not one in existence, she collaborated with several other breeders to create one. If you love cats, you will find this calendar as wonderful as I did. Check it out at http://www.shepherdslairbobtailcats.com/highland-lynx-cat-calendar.html.

Safely Enjoying Smith Mountain Lake

Paul Moore — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:46:27 +0000

One of the most obvious things that draws people to Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia is the love of water. Fishing, boating, water skiing, camping, swimming – there are so many ways to enjoy yourself when you are at the lake. Some of us even like to just sit on the shore and soak up the sight of the mountains, the smell of nature, the sounds of the water lapping against the shore…

As all lake lovers know, an important part of spending time near the water is learning what it takes to be safe. Nearly all great experiences can become deadly if you don’t pay attention to the rules of the game. Mountain climbing, scuba diving, horseback riding, tennis, and even fishing and boating can be dangerous without safety protocols. And the law says that everyone on the lake needs to know the rules.

In Virginia the law requires anyone who operates a motor boat or personal water craft to be educated about water safety and to have a Boater Education Card to prove they have done so. A boater education card does not expire and does not need to be renewed. If you have not taken your boaters safety course you can study and take it online at any time. Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has approved the use of certain online courses that you can use to get your boating certification. Please check for more information on boater exam Virginia to get your boat license.

The boating season at SML is not quite over, so get your Boater Education Card and come on out and have some fun.

SML Residents: Vote on Top 10 Endangered Artifacts

Paul Moore — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 21:55:13 +0000

We can all appreciate the importance of preserving historical treasures in and around the Smith Mountain lake area, and this is an opportunity to step up and do our part. Let your voice be heard speaking for the endangered artifacts of our area’s American heritage by voting for Virginia’s Top 10 Endangered Artifacts.

The Virginia Association of Museums (www.vamuseums.org/) announced that public voting will begin on Monday, August 15th. Collecting institutions from across Virginia and DC have nominated a variety of items that they believe tell valuable stories and deserve to be recognized on this significant “Top 10 List.”

Irreplaceable historical items are lost or damaged every year, and this fun and educational campaign is revealing the importance of preserving Virginia’s diverse history and culture. This particular list of Endangered Artifacts includes items from Booker T. Washington & the D-Day Memorial. The public is encouraged to become involved by visiting www.vatop10artifacts.org and casting their vote for the item that they believe should make it into the final “Top 10″.

The voting will happen online from Aug. 15th to Sept. 20th! You may cast your vote for the #1 most endangered object at: www.vatop10artifacts.org. The Virginia Association of Museums will announce the winners of Virginia’s Top 10 Endangered Artifacts in November 2011. For more information, visit www.vamuseums.org

Smith Mountain Lake Smiles

Paul Moore — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:05:20 +0000

When you see something that could make almost anyone at Smith Mountain Lake smile, it seems worth sharing. I don’t care for most jokes I hear these days, but good clean humor is repeatable. Some of you may have seen this being passed around before, but since laughter is good medicine….

There was this little kid who lived out in the country. They didn’t have indoor plumbing and so they had an outhouse. But the little boy absolutely hated the outhouse because it was stifling hot in the summer and full of bees and spiders and stuff. And it was freezing cold in the winter. But the smell really bugged him and it stank all the time.

The outhouse was situated on the bank of a creek a ways from the house and the boy determined that one day he would push that outhouse into the creek and try to make it look like an accident. One day after a spring rain the creek was swollen and filled with high, rushing water. So the little boy decided today was the day to push the outhouse into the creek.

He got a large branch and stuck it under the edge of the outhouse and pushed with all his might. The outhouse resisted for a moment, but it was old and it quickly toppled into the creek and floated rapidly away. The boy smiled happily as it sailed out of view around the bend in the creek.

That night at the table the boy’s dad told him they were going to have to go to the woodshed after supper. Knowing this meant a spanking, the little boy asked why. The dad replied, “Someone pushed the outhouse into the creek today. It was you, wasn’t it, son?”

The boy answered honestly that it was him who did it. Then he thought a moment and said, “Dad, I read in school today that George Washington chopped down a cherry tree and didn’t get into trouble because he told the truth about doing it.”

The dad replied, “Well, son, George Washington’s father wasn’t in that cherry tree.”

To All Lake Home Owners

Paul Moore — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 21:33:40 +0000

CURB (Cut Unnecessary Regulatory Burdens) recently had it’s first meeting at Smith Mountain Lake on July 14th. The library was packed with local citizens concerned about issues with AEP regulations. Topics covered were things like Rip Rap permits, vegetation permits and dock permits. Bill Brush did an excellent job with his PowerPoint presentation and if you would like to view or download it, go to this link.

The meeting received very positive press coverage in the News & Advance, Smith Mountain Eagle and in Roanoke Times Laker Weekly insert. Also TV coverage on WSLS Channel 10 and News Channel 7.

The next CURB meeting will be held at the Moneta Library in Bedford County on August 11th, starting at 6:00PM. The mission is to inform the community and to fight these regulations that trample on basic property rights. Also there are aprox. 7,500 docks on SML – if they can raise AT LEAST $10.00 from each dock owner that’s $75,000. Help to recover your property rights from unwarranted corporate control. Consider it an investment in your basic property rights.

Please tell your friends and neighbors. Encourage them to attend the next meeting. Ask them to visit the website, get informed and register. Neither AEP or the FERC can withstand an organized, well-funded assault in the Court of Public Opinion, and if necessary in the 4th District Federal Appellate Court.

For more information about CURB, visit curb-ferc-aep.com.

You can call Bill Brush at (540)721-4390.
Contributions can be mailed to: Cut Unnecessary Regulatory Burden
81 Lighthouse Lane, Moneta, VA 24121

Plan A Picnic At Smith Mountain Lake Part 2

Paul Moore — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:12:51 +0000

I hope you have not been waiting for part 2 of this post to go on a picnic at Smith Mountain Lake…..but here are a couple more great ideas for good recipes to put in your next picnic basket. Last time I covered sandwiches and dessert. This time it will be veggies/salad and a refreshing drink. These 4 simple recipes should make for a tasty and filling picnic meal.

Potato Veggie Salad

2 lbs organic baby potatoes

1 cup finely diced organic celery

3 cups finely cut organic fresh spinach

4 crumbled boiled eggs

1 cup diced tomatoes

1/2 cup chives

1/4 cup organic yellow mustard

1 and 1/2 cup dukes mayonnaise

Boil the potatoes until you can easily poke a fork in them (maybe 20 minutes or so). Wait until cool then cut to the desired size and put them in a large bowl that has a lid. Cut the fresh spinach into smaller pieces and dice the celery and tomatoes. Boil the eggs and cut into small pieces in a bowl with the chives. Mix all these ingredients together carefully so as not to mash them. Now add mayonnaise and mustard to taste, and again mix gently until everything in the bowl is evenly covered. Refrigerate until ready to leave for the picnic.

All you need now is some chilled sparkling apple juice (or other fruit juice), some bottled spring water, napkins, plates, spoons, forks and cups…….and you have great picnic ready to go!

Plan A Picnic At Smith Mountain Lake Part 1

Paul Moore — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:30:03 +0000

There is no better place for a picnic than Smith Mountain Lake. And the ideas for picnic food are as many an there are stars in the sky. Everyone has their own ideas of what sounds like fun food, and mine are to keep it light. I want something tasty and filling but light and refreshing. Here are some recipe ideas for packing a picnic basket.

FROSTED WATERMELON/CANTELOUPE

What You Need:

1/4 cup raw sugar or evaporated cane juice
1/4 cup organic lime juice (from 1 1/2 limes)
2 teaspoons finely grated organic lime peel
1 medium cantaloupe cut into small wedges
1 large piece de-seeded watermelon – aprox. 5lbs. cut into small wedges

Beat raw sugar and 1/4 cup hot water till it dissolves. Then stir in lime juice and grated peel. Cover and refrigerate until cool and store in frig for up to 3 days. Also store melons in frig at least 24hrs. prior to picnic (you may cut into slices ahead of time if desired).

As close to the time of your picnic as possible, drizzle the liquid portion over melon slices and put in freezer for a half hour. Put in cooler with ice when packing for picnic.

TURKEY AVOCADO SANDWICHES

1 medium avocado (be sure it’s ripe)
2 large organic tomatoes
1 tablespoon fresh or dried chives
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 loaf 100% whole wheat bread
2 tablespoons Dukes mayonnaise
1/2 pound sliced organic turkey

First mash avocado well and stir in chives, salt, and pepper. Spread avocado mash over half the slices of bread in the loaf and put mayo on the other half the loaf. Then put on turkey slices and tomato and put the halves together. Cut sandwiches into halves or 3rds and keep in frig till picnic.

Fireworks At Smith Mountain Lake

Paul Moore — Wed, 11 May 2011 17:20:55 +0000

An Appeal To Help Keep Smith Mountain Lake Fireworks Going:
For over ten years the Saunders Volunteer Fire Company has been hosting the Independence Day Fireworks and Celebration at Parkway Marina. It is our majorfund raising project. Thousands of residents and guests to the lake participate in the celebration and view the fireworks. Expenses for this event have far exceeded our expectations and we need your help to continue.

If you have enjoyed the fireworks and would like to see them continued, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Saunders Volunteer Fire Co. You may donate online at www.SMLFireworks.org or by mail. Please note on your check that it is for the SVFC Independence Day Fireworks. Mail your check to:
Saunders Volunteer Fire Co.
P.O. Box 14
Huddleston, VA 24104.

You may contact me at (540) 297-1116 with comments or suggestions for
improvement of the event. We are also in need of volunteers to help on the day of the event.
Sincerely,
John Honaker
President
Saunders Vol. Fire Co.