| Smith Mountain Dam | |
|---|---|
 USGS image of the Smith Mountain Dam | |
| Location | Bedford / Pittsylvania counties, Virginia, USA |
| Coordinates | 37°02′28″N 79°32′08″W / 37.04111°N 79.53556°W |
| Construction began | 1960 |
| Opening date | 1963 |
| Construction cost | USD $103 million (hydro-power units) |
| Operator(s) | Appalachian Power (American Electric Power) |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Concrete arch |
| Impounds | Roanoke River, Blackwater River |
| Height | 235 ft (72 m) |
| Length | 816 ft (249 m) |
| Width (base) | 30 ft (9.1 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Smith Mountain Lake |
| Total capacity | 2.8 km3 (0.67 cu mi) |
| Surface area | 32 sq mi (83 km2) |
| Power Station | |
| Commission date | 1965-1980 |
| Turbines | 2 x 70 MW (94,000 hp) 2 x 160 MW (210,000 hp) Francis-type 1 x 100 MW (130,000 hp) reversible Francis-type[1] |
| Installed capacity | 560 MW (750,000 hp) |
Smith Mountain Dam is a concrete arch dam located on the Roanoke River in Virginia, creating Smith Mountain Lake. The dam was built by Appalachian Power (a division of American Electric Power) between 1960 and 1963 for the purposes of pumped-storage hydroelectricity. The dam created Smith Mountain Lake as its reservoir, where recreation and real estate have become popular.[2][3]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Industwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia
- ^ Smith Mountain Lake: How it Works