Overview
Smith Lake (Lewis Smith Lake) is a roughly 21,200-acre storage reservoir on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River in Walker, Winston, and Cullman counties north of Birmingham. Lewis Smith Dam, one of the largest earth- and rock-fill dams in the eastern United States, was completed in 1961 by Alabama Power and named for company president Lewis Martin Smith. The lake is operated for hydropower, seasonal flood storage, and recreation.
With about 713 miles of shoreline, a length near 35 miles, and a maximum depth of about 264 feet at the dam, Smith is a deep, clear highland reservoir of steep banks, long creek arms, and forested ridges. Its depth and clarity set it apart from the shallower Coosa run-of-river lakes downstream on the Warrior system.
Smith is prized for striped bass, spotted and largemouth bass, and clear-water fishing, with fisheries managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Marinas, public ramps, and lakeside communities support boating, diving, and camping across the three-county shoreline.
Water levels on Smith Lake are managed by Alabama Power under a seasonal operating guide, with a summer full pool of 510 feet above mean sea level, a winter pool near 496 feet, and flood easement/storage referenced around 522 feet. Drawdown typically begins in early summer and reaches winter pool by mid-November. Monitoring current lake levels is important for boating, fishing, and dock access, especially during the long seasonal drawdown.
Current Conditions
Smith Lake is currently 4.33 feet below full pool and has fallen slightly over the past week.
- 7-day trendFallingLatest movement can differ from the seven-day trend.
- 7-day changeDown 0.61 ft
- 30-day changeDown 2.89 ft
- Drought conditionsNo Drought
About This Lake
Learn how this lake is managed, what affects its water level, and where Lake Insights gets its data.
Smith Lake is a 21,200-acre reservoir on the Sipsey Fork (Black Warrior River) managed by Alabama Power.