Smith Mountain Lake lake and shoreline

Smith Mountain Lake Water Level

Virginia

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Smith Mountain Lake

Smith Mountain Lake is currently 5.8 feet below full pool, with a water-surface elevation of 789.2 feet.

789.23 ft · Updated 2 hours ago · Appalachian Power

Current level

789.23ft

−5.77 ft vs full pool

Low

Vs full pool

Since last reading

Down 0.09 ft

Previous readingSep 23789.35 ft

7-day change

Down 0.03 ft

7-day trend: Rising

4 daily readings in the last 7 days

30-day change

Down 0.76 ft

26 daily readings in the last 30 days

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Water Level History

Current
789.23 ft
24h
-0.09 ft
7d
-0.03 ft
30d
-0.76 ft

Elevation (ft) MSL

Reference line is designed full pool.

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Lake Level Context

Level remains below the full pool

Smith Mountain Lake is currently 789.23 ft, 5.77 ft below its full pool. The lake has fallen 0.03 ft over the past 7 days and 0.76 ft over the past 30 days.

Smith Mountain Lake Level Details

Reference elevations, recent daily readings, data sources, and answers to common questions.

Conditions & Reference

Level status

5.77 ft below full pool

Current level
789.23 ft
Full pool
795 ft
DatumVertical reference for published pool and stage elevations at this lake (from the lake catalog).
Not available
Elevation reference
MSL
Source
Appalachian Power

Reference levels

  • Full pool795 ft

Watershed drought

Severe Drought

100% of watershed in official drought (D1+).

Severity

NoneExtreme
Trend
Stable

Watershed drought conditions

Bedford County, VA

Severe Drought

Severe Drought. Severe drought conditions are present.. Trend: Stable compared with last week. Official drought yes

Severity

NoneExtreme

Weekly trend

Stable

Compared with last week

Official drought

Yes

100% of the watershed is currently classified as official drought (D1+).

Expected impacts

  • Lower stream inflows
  • Lake levels may decline faster
  • Vegetation is becoming drier
  • Minor increase in wildfire risk

U.S. Drought Monitor · map date Sep 22, 2026. Updated weekly. droughtmonitor.unl.eduView drought map for Bedford County, VA

Daily level summary

DateLevelChange
Sep 24, 2026789.26-0.09
Sep 23, 2026789.35-0.02
Sep 22, 2026789.37+0.07
Sep 21, 2026789.3+0.01
Sep 15, 2026789.29-0.15
Sep 14, 2026789.44+0.12
Sep 13, 2026789.32+0.12

Common questions about Smith Mountain Lake’s water level

  • The current water level at Smith Mountain Lake is 789.23 ft (updated 2 hours ago). You can track the Smith Mountain Lake lake level on the interactive chart and daily history above.

  • Full pool for Smith Mountain Lake is 795 ft — the normal conservation target elevation when the reservoir is at its designed summer or operating pool.

  • The current 7-day trend for the Smith Mountain Lake lake level is rising — rising about 0.03 ft over the past week. See the history chart above for the full picture.

  • Based on the latest gauge reading, Smith Mountain Lake is currently 5.77 ft below full pool.

Lake level glossary

Definitions for pool targets, datums, and how elevation readings are labeled.

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