Get the current lake level from AEP's Environmental Website.

• Lake Level Information

Shoreline Management Plan for
Smith Mountian Pumped Storage Project

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as part of it's relicensing process requires hydro-electric owner/operators to have a Shoreline Management Plan in place. These plans regulate activity along the shores of lakes for a number of reasons. A vegetative buffer zone arround the lake provides a way to prevent polutants from entering the water as well as stabilizing it's banks. Navigational safety on the lake is achieved by limiting the number and types of access points for boaters. It also conveys asthetic conciderations as well. The plans allow owner/operators to require permition for land desterbing activities, construction and vegetation removal within the project boundries. The Leesville Lake project boundry is the 620 foot contour.

• Obtaining Shoreline Permits
• AEP Shoreline Management Plan Website - smithmtn.com
• The Shoreline Management Plan Webpage
• Louis Berger Group Website - Authors of The Plan
• FERC - Hydropower Website
• FERC - Guide for creating a Shore Line Management Plan

• Native Plant Guide
• US Fish and Wildlife Service - NativePlants.pdf
• About Riparian Buffers
• Riparian Buffers VA Dept Forestry
• Julie's Lakeside Gardening Tips

Debries

The association encourages land owners to gather and dispose of debris along their shores periodically. People should observe any burning laws and/or tempory burning bans in there county if they use that method of disposal. The association sponsors a Beautification Day each year where, at various sites along the lake, there are placed moderatly heavy equipment and dumpsters for removal and disposal of debris. AEP has a skimmer that removes debris from the lake from time to time. Additionally the association is working with local governments to provide money to hire private contractors to remove debris from Leesville Lake.

• Pictures of The Skimmer on Leesville Lake
• The Trash Cat Website
• The Association Debris Removal Demonstration Project
• Private Contractor Removing Debris

Invasive Species Watch

All lake users should be on the lookout for aquatic invasive species of plants. These plants can be transported from lake to lake on the hulls of boats. It is important for boaters who use their boat on more than one body water to be aware of this and take precautions like rinsing down their boat before launching in different waters.

• Phragmites australis (Common Reed)
  • Invasive Plants Net
  • University of Florida, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
  • The Invasive Species Initiative
• European water-milfoil - Myriophyllium spicatum
• Zebra Mussel
• Hydrilla verticillata