ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Appalachian Power warns residents and visitors near Smith Mountain Lake to be cautious of high water levels due to the heavy rainfall in the Roanoke River watershed.
AEP operates the Smith Mountain Project hydroelectric facility, and the company says the lake will exceed its full pond elevation of 795 feet. The project’s lower reservoir, Leesville Lake, is below its full pond level of 613 feet.
Flow levels above and below the project are high. To prevent additional flooding downstream, Appalachian expects the reservoir to exceed its full pond elevation by 1.5 to 2 feet within the next 24 hours.
AEP says this is rare, but an increase of only inches could make walking docks unsafe and cause unsecured boats and floating docks to float away.
Information regarding water levels can be found online.
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