Cheers to 59 Years: SML Celebrates Full Pond Day (2025)
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March 7 is a day to celebrate: it marks Smith Mountain Lake’s birthday!
It was on this day in 1966 that the water level reached 795 feet above sea level, officially completing the transformation from farmland and valleys to the sparkling 22,000-acre lake we enjoy today.
Building the lake was no small feat. The Smith Mountain Pumped Storage Project cost $66 million and included constructing Smith Mountain and Leesville dams, six new bridges and more than 22 miles of new roads. One memorable moment came in 1962 when local legend William “Jap” Hundley and his mule, Jack, became the first to cross the brand-new Hales Ford Bridge.
In 2016, the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce spearheaded a year-long 50th anniversary celebration. There was a 50K race at the dam, a cardboard boat regatta, concerts, educational events, a yacht race and even a Guinness World Record attempt.
Blue Ridge PBS produced a documentary, SML Insiders contributor Jerry Hale wrote a theme song and a time capsule was placed at the dam to be opened in 2041. Three historical highway markers, a LOVEworks sculpture and marked cycling routes were added. In addition, the U.S. Postal Service recognized Smith Mountain Lake, VA, as a valid address for all nine surrounding ZIP codes.
Happy 59th birthday, Smith Mountain Lake! Cheers to many more years of making memories on your sparkling waters.
