Smith Mountain Dam

Smith Mountain Dam is a concrete arch structure crossing the Roanoke River, built to generate electricity through water flow. The facility houses five generators that power communities across the region.

Appalachian Power started building the structure in 1960, finishing the concrete arch dam by 1963. The project brought reliable electricity generation to the region and transformed the river valley.

The dam created Smith Mountain Lake, which extends across 32 square miles and supports numerous water activities for Virginia residents.

The site offers viewpoints where you can see the dam and the water behind it. Visitors can explore the area on foot and get a close look at the engineering from different angles.

In 1965, engineers sent divers deep underwater to repair equipment using an experimental saturation diving method. This early work at the site helped advance underwater engineering techniques.

Location: Bedford County

Location: Pittsylvania County

Inception: 1959

Length: 249 m

Made from material: concrete

GPS coordinates: 37.04110,-79.53560

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:54