SML Fireboats

SML Fireboats The secondary page for Smith Mountain Lake Marine 100% Volunteer Fire Rescue Department, Inc. otherwise know as the “SML Fireboats”

** Attention Boaters **Low water near Hardy Ford Boat Launch is extremely hazardous!Last night, the Hardy Volunteer Fire...
05/19/2026

** Attention Boaters **
Low water near Hardy Ford Boat Launch is extremely hazardous!

Last night, the Hardy Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched along with Smith Mountain Lake Marine Fire & Rescue for a watercraft emergency with 2 boating occupants grounded in the shallow water 125 yards away from the Hardy Ford Boat Launch. Chief 12 established command with Engine12 and began working with the volunteer responders on multiple attempts to free the boat. The deep mud impeded attempts to reach the boat from the shore and ropes were deployed from the shore to the boat for further efforts. Company 11 arrived with 3 personnel and launched Fireboat 11-3 to assist from the water. After attempts to free the boat using the Co11 watercraft were unsuccessful, Utility12 was dispatched to the far shore where joint efforts were able to help pull the stuck boat back towards the channel to where Co11 could successfully tow it back to the boat launch.

02/16/2026

At approximately 9:30am, Smith Mountain Lake Marine Fire Rescue was dispatched to a multi-boat fire at VISA Yacht Club. Due to the teamwork between our department, the Scruggs Fire Department, and Franklin County Fire/Ems the fire was contained to two boats.

We had a great day supporting The SML YMCA at their Glacier Plunge event. Hats off to the 25+ participants who braved th...
02/15/2026

We had a great day supporting The SML YMCA at their Glacier Plunge event. Hats off to the 25+ participants who braved the cold water!

02/13/2026

UPDATE:
Appalachian Power Company (APCo) will conduct a required test of its electricity-generating units at the Smith Mountain Dam, beginning in the early morning hours on Monday, Feb. 16.
Testing, which is required twice a year, will decrease the water level of Smith Mountain Lake by approximately two feet. APCo will begin pumping water back into Smith Mountain Lake (from Leesville Lake) later in the afternoon on Monday, and as conditions allow. The “pump back” process is expected to be completed sometime on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
The test was originally planned for Monday, Feb. 9; however, PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in the mid-Atlantic region, requested APCo to reschedule the test due to demand on the power grid.
See more information at http://ms.spr.ly/6185QrJXP.

02/10/2026

⚠️ WATER LEVEL UPDATE ⚠️
Due to increased demand, the scheduled test has been cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date. Communication will be made available prior to the rescheduled date.

02/10/2026

UPDATE!! The date was changed.

On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Appalachian Power will conduct an annual winter test at its Smith Mountain hydroelectric plant. The test will result in the level of Smith Mountain Lake (SML) dropping by two feet. Due to lower-than-normal water levels at the lake in conjunction with the test, further lowering the water level, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) managed ramps will be closed February 11–13.

02/06/2026

FYI-Please Plan Accordingly
Appalachian Power plans to conduct an annual winter test at its Smith Mountain hydroelectric plant on Monday, February 9, 2026. The test will result in the level of Smith Mountain Lake (SML) dropping by approximately two feet. Due to the ongoing drought, the water surface elevation of SML is already several feet lower than normal. As a result, public boat ramps on Smith Mountain Lake will be closed Monday, February 9–Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

Address

PO Box 899
Hardy, VA
24101

Telephone

+15407215585

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when SML Fireboats posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to SML Fireboats:

Shortcuts

Share

Category