Appalachian Power Implements Drought Operations to Help Conserve Water at Smith Mountain Lake

ROANOKE, Va., May 15, 2026 -- Ongoing drought conditions across the region have left Smith Mountain Lake and Leesville Lake with unusually low water levels, resulting in a change in operations at Appalachian Power Company's (APCo) Smith Mountain Project.

"These are some of the most challenging low-inflow conditions we've seen in years, and they're affecting the entire watershed," said Brannon Littleton, APCo's hydro manager. "We're following our approved Water Management Plan (WMP) and taking the steps available to conserve water while continuing required releases that protect downstream water quality and aquatic life."

As required by state and federal permits, APCo must continue releasing water downstream from Leesville Dam to support aquatic life and help maintain water quality. During drought conditions, the WMP includes specific triggers based on project inflows and outflows that reduce releases to conserve water. The company implemented the first trigger April 27 and the second trigger May 11 and will continue monitoring conditions closely and adjust operations as required by the plan.

"Our operations are not guided by a target lake elevation but by hydrologic conditions, meaning how much water is flowing into and out of the project," Littleton said. "We're doing what we can to conserve water, but sustained precipitation across the watershed is the biggest driver of restoring normal lake levels."

In addition to regulated releases, lake levels are influenced by continued low inflows, residential and community water use and natural evaporation. APCo is also required to respond to energy market demands and other operational requirements necessary to ensure reliability of the electric grid that could change water levels at the Smith Mountain Project.

APCo encourages customers and visitors to:

• Use extra caution on and near the water as conditions change
• Stay aware that lower water levels can affect boat ramps, fixed and floating docks and navigation in coves and near shorelines
• Follow posted advisories and guidance from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and other public safety agencies.

Customers can visit the Smith Mountain Project website for latest updates and sign up for email alerts. The site also includes the Water Management Plan.