Smith Mountain Lake Association

06/13/2026

Low Water Levels at Smith Mountain Lake Mean Boaters and Swimmers Should Use Extra Caution

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, Virginia — As water levels at Smith Mountain Lake remain lower than normal, lake users are encouraged to take extra precautions while boating, swimming, fishing, and enjoying waterfront activities this season.

Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA) shares that lower lake levels can expose hazards that are normally underwater, including rocks, stumps, shoals, and debris. With water levels 5-6 feet below typical depths, many areas are shallow making common routes outside of the main channels risky. These changing conditions can create safety risks for both experienced and first-time visitors to the lake.

For more details including specifics on boating, kayaking, and swimming, click here:

https://smlassociation.org/2026/05/13/low-water-levels-at-smith-mountain-lake-mean-boaters-and-swimmers-should-use-extra-caution/

06/12/2026

9 Tips for Low Water Dock Safety

1. If you are inclined to use a ladder to get down on your floater from a fixed dock, use caution.
2. Navigating steep shorelines and rip-rap can pose a fall hazard.
3. Exposed shoreline and rip-rap can have sharp objects such as construction anchors (nails and screws etc) fishing hooks and lures, scrap metal and glass.
4. Exercise extreme caution when jumping or diving off of boats and docks.
5. Wading in shallow water should also be done with caution.
6. When lowering your water craft, leave at least three full turns of cable (2 absolute minimum) on the rotating shaft for safety.
7. When using your watercraft, always know the depth of the water to ensure you do not run aground or damage your vessel.
8. If you take your boat off of the lift and secure it to a fixed dock or structure, make sure your lines are long enough to handle fluctuations in water levels.
9. Remember your pets. Pets that are accustomed to jumping or diving off of docks do not realize that water levels have changed!

For more details on each of these, please see https://smlassociation.org/2026/06/09/9-tips-for-low-water-dock-safety/

06/12/2026

It’s Business Partner Feature Friday! This week, we're proud to recognize Jeanette Handy, REALTOR® with Front Porch Realty! Jeanette is passionate about helping buyers and sellers navigate the local market while sharing her deep knowledge of the community and lake lifestyle. Through her dedication to her clients and commitment to supporting the Smith Mountain Lake community, she helps make our region a wonderful place to call home. Thank you, Jeanette, for being a Custodian of the Lake and for your continued support of the Smith Mountain Lake Association!

Front Porch Realty About Front Porch Realty Front Porch Realty, LLC, based in Moneta, Virginia, serves Southwest Virginia with professional real estate services. We offer clients dedicated attention and market expertise while supporting our agents—new and experienced—through training and guidanc...

06/12/2026

Navigational Aids Changes: What Every SML Boater Needs to Know

Smith Mountain Lake is getting a major navigation makeover. Here’s your complete guide to what’s moving, what’s new, and what it means for your time on the water.

https://smlassociation.org/2026/05/12/navigational-aids-changes-what-every-sml-boater-needs-to-know/

The Biggest Change: Meet the Preferred Channel Mark

If there’s one new piece of navigational vocabulary every SML boater needs to learn this season, it’s the Preferred Channel Mark — also called a junction mark.

These distinctive markers, pictured below, are being introduced at three locations where a primary waterway meets a secondary one:

Gills Creek (red over green, on the Blackwater River near existing B16)
Louse Creek (green over red)
Lynville Creek (green over red, replacing the existing R61 on the Roanoke River)

06/11/2026

Landscape Tip: The soil is alive!!!

Did you know that the soil under our feet is a living organism? Bacteria, earthworms, and other little critters work in harmony delivering the minerals a plant needs to grow the fruits and vegetables we count on to live. Fungi and plant roots create a communication network in the soil that keeps everything growing strong, and improves soil texture and water absorption.

Chemical applications or heavy tilling break up this vital network and kill the microbes and critters essential for a plant to thrive. Nature knows how to create healthy soil for abundant food sources. All we need to do is mimic her.

06/10/2026

Understanding the Risks of Electricity and Water

Electricity and water each present specific hazards, but when combined, the risks can become much more serious. By understanding the dangers associated with exposure to electricity in aquatic environments, we can better enjoy the beautiful surroundings at Smith Mountain Lake with confidence and peace of mind.

For more info click here: https://smlassociation.org/2026/06/04/understanding-the-risks-of-electricity-and-water/

06/10/2026

Win this water package!!

Drawing June 27th.

Get ready for the ultimate day on the lake with this incredible prize package! Whether you're paddling, relaxing at the dock, or spending the day on the boat, this raffle bundle has everything you need for fun in the sun. ☀️

For details and to purchase tickets, click here:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/smith-mountain-lake-associations-raffle--2026

06/09/2026

Every time you hit the water, host friends, or just dream about lake days… you could be repping the place you love most 💙

👉 The Smith Mountain Lake Association store is packed with items that aren’t just cool—Every purchase helps support SMLA programs that keep SML clean, safe, and thriving. https://store.smlassociation.org/

06/08/2026

Volunteer Spotlight: Jerry Hale

Jerry Hale began his membership in the SMLA Water Safety Council in late 2004 when he attended a WSC meeting to request its endorsement of a plan to establish a “No-Wake Protocol” for the annual Independence Day over-water fireworks at Parkway Marina. Jerry was invited to join the council and implement his plan.

Jerry has led the no-wake effort every year since its inception and was named a Carl Martin Safety Award recipient for his significant role in making over-water fireworks viewing safer and more enjoyable for SML boaters. His volunteer work with the Water Safety Council has also included authoring and editing scores of water safety articles, doing boat docking clinics, and serving as an SMLA office volunteer. Jerry is a charter member of the TLAC Wake Education Task Force and, with fellow volunteer Randy Stow, created and helped record the “I Tow it Right” wake responsibility video sound track.

Become a volunteer: https://smlassociation.org/volunteer/