If you plan to hit the water at Smith Mountain Lake anytime soon, be sure to keep safety top of mind.
Officials say water levels are lower than usual, and people should take extra precautions while boating, swimming and fishing.
According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, much of Virginia — including the area around Smith Mountain Lake — is currently experiencing extreme drought conditions. Marina operators say the drought is creating challenges for boaters heading into Memorial Day weekend, traditionally one of the busiest times of the year on the lake.
The Smith Mountain Lake Association notes that lower lake levels can expose hazards that are typically underwater, such as rocks, stumps, shoals and debris. With water levels 5 to 6 feet below normal, many areas are shallow, making common routes riskier.
“Everyone using the lake should slow down, stay alert, and be aware of their surroundings to help prevent accidents and injuries,” said Jeff Markiewicz, chair of the SMLA Water Safety Council.
At Bridgewater Marina, dock manager Campbell Rech said some docks now have only a few feet of water beneath them, while others have dried up completely.
“I’ve never seen it this low for this long,” Rech said.
Rech said many homeowners are unable to launch boats from their lifts because of the unusually low water.
“A lot of the people that live down here either full-time or during the summer can’t put their boats down, so their only option is to go to a boat rental company, because there’s no way to get the boat out of the boatlift even if it’s dry,” Rech said.
The low water is also exposing more hazards across the lake.
“The hazards that were big hazards before are even bigger now,” Rech said. “Sandbars in the water are going to be a lot more prominent now. Rocks, boulders — there’s a lot of stuff we’re actually finding.”
As always, wear a properly fitted life jacket when in or around the water. Another tip: Have one of your passengers serve as a designated lookout in addition to the driver.
Appalachian Power said it is reducing water releases from the dam as much as possible while still meeting federal requirements and maintaining power generation.
“We know how critical it is to the infrastructure of that area, and it’s something we don’t take lightly,” said Izzy Post Ruhland, an Appalachian Power communications specialist.
Ruhland said the company has significantly reduced water releases because of the drought.
“We were releasing like half of the water that we normally do, now we’re releasing like half of that,” Ruhland said.
Appalachian Power officials said they will continue monitoring conditions and are hoping for more rainfall in the coming weeks.
Here are some other precautions you can take:
Boating Safety Tips
- Know your boat’s draft so you can properly judge safe areas for operation.
- Slow down in unfamiliar areas and watch carefully for shallow water and submerged hazards.
- Pay close attention to navigational markers and no-wake zones.
- Stay in marked channels. Typical shortcuts may not have enough water for safe passage.
- Ensure all passengers wear properly fitted life jackets, especially children.
- Avoid boating too close to shorelines, docks and coves where water depths may be significantly reduced.
- Check ramp conditions if launching, and check the cable length of your lift before planning your trip.
Swimming Safety Tips
- Avoid diving in areas where water depth is uncertain, including off docks and shorelines.
- Walk carefully — areas normally submerged may be slippery, soft and may not provide secure footing.
- Don’t walk under docks and other structures that may not be stable.
For more information about boating safety, visit smlassociation.org .