Weekend storms cause high water at Virginia’s Smith Mountain hydro project

Heavy rains and thunderstorms over the weekend in the Roanoke and Blackwater river watersheds caused large inflows into Appalachian Power’s Smith Mountain hydro project in southwestern Virginia.

Roughly five inches of rain fell on the region over the weekends, causing flooding in creeks and rivers. All the rain poured into the tributaries and pushed the upper reservoir to an actual level of 795.56-foot elevation and an adjusted level of 797 feet. The adjusted level includes the available water in the lower Leesville Lake that could be pumped back into Smith Mountain for reuse.

With Smith Mountain Lake now over 795 feet, water is flowing over the two spillways into Leesville Lake. Both generators at the Leesville dam are operating to release water into the Roanoke River downstream.

Appalachian Power, which runs Smith Mountain, expects the levels will return to the regular adjusted operating level of 795 feet this week as long as there are no other unusual weather issues. Smith Mountain personnel will continue to monitor inflows and releases and will adjust as necessary.

Area residents should monitor weather and news sources for storm or river information. They can view Appalachian Power hydro levels and flows at www.aep.com/environment/conservation/hydro/.