Smith Mountain Dam, Hydroelectric power station and arch dam in Bedford County, Virginia.
Smith Mountain Dam spans 249 meters across the Roanoke River, incorporating five generators that produce 560 megawatts of hydroelectric power.
Appalachian Power initiated construction in 1960, completing the concrete structure in 1963, while the reservoir reached full capacity in March 1966.
The dam created Smith Mountain Lake, which extends across 32 square miles and supports numerous water activities for Virginia residents.
The facility operates through a pumped storage system, releasing water during peak demand periods and refilling the reservoir during low consumption hours.
Engineers performed the first commercial saturation dives at the dam in 1965 to replace defective trash racks in the underwater structure.
Location: Bedford County
Location: Pittsylvania County
Inception: 1959
Length: 249 m
Made from material: concrete
GPS coordinates: 37.04110,-79.53560
Latest update: May 11, 2025 00:41
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