ROANOKE, Va., Nov.12, 2009 – The normal water level at Smith Mountain Lake has exceeded full pond and the reservoir at Leesville is also full due to heavier than expected and continuing inflow resulting from rainstorms in the region.  
 
After consultation with the National Weather Service and The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Appalachian Power is increasing the discharge of water from the Leesville Dam into the Staunton River in an effort to create more storage volume in the lower project reservoir.
 
As of 6:00 a.m. this morning, inflow to the Smith Mountain Project was 26,474 cfs and discharge from Leesville was 4,682 cfs. The adjusted reservoir elevation was 795.67 feet. The flow at the USGS gauge at Brookneal on the Staunton River was 15,000 cfs (18.49´) and at Altavista 15,200 CFS (15.34´).
 
The company will monitor downstream river levels and will adjust its discharge flow accordingly.
 
Appalachian urges all lake and river users to be cautious when boating, swimming or participating in other recreational activities on or near the project during higher than normal water levels. Boats tied at docks should be properly moored for higher water levels.
 
Interested persons may view current flow and elevation readings for Smith Mountain Project and other hydroelectric generating facilities operated by Appalachian Power and its parent company American Electric Power at this site: http://www.aep.com/environmental/recreation/hydro 
 
Elevation information may also be obtained by calling (540) 985-2767.
 
Smith Mountain Project is a 636-megawatt pumped storage hydroelectric facility located in southwestern Virginia that utilizes an upper reservoir (Smith Mountain Lake) and a lower reservoir (Leesville Lake). Water stored in Smith Mountain Lake passes through turbine generators in the powerhouse to produce electricity and is discharged into Leesville Lake.  Most of the water is retained in Leesville Lake and pumped back into the Smith Mountain Lake for re-use.  A portion of the water goes through the turbine-generators at the Leesville powerhouse to generate additional electricity and to meet the minimum discharge requirements of the project´s FERC license.
 
 
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