VIRGINIA - A state with a diverse landscape ranging from the Appalachian Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay, is home to numerous lakes and reservoirs. While some are natural wonders with unique geological features, others are man-made giants created for specific purposes. When it comes to identifying the "deepest lake" in the Commonwealth, the answer often points to a significant man-made reservoir, although Virginia also boasts a famously deep natural lake.
The Champion of Depth: Smith Mountain Lake
The title for the deepest lake in Virginia, considering all types of lakes, generally goes to Smith Mountain Lake.
- Maximum Depth: Smith Mountain Lake reaches an impressive maximum depth of approximately 250 feet (about 76 meters). This depth is typically found near the Smith Mountain Dam.
- Formation: It is a large man-made reservoir created in the 1960s by the impoundment of the Roanoke and Blackwater Rivers by the Smith Mountain Dam.
- Purpose: The primary purposes for its creation were hydroelectric power generation and flood control, but it has also become one of Virginia's most popular recreational areas.
- Size and Features: This expansive lake covers roughly 20,600 acres and has over 500 miles of shoreline, making it a significant destination for boating, fishing, and lakeside living.
Virginia's Deepest Natural Lake: The Enigmatic Mountain Lake
While Smith Mountain Lake holds the record for overall depth, Mountain Lake in Giles County is renowned as Virginia's deepest natural lake and one of only two natural lakes in the entire state.
- Variable Depth: Mountain Lake is renowned for its distinctive hydrological system, which causes its water levels to fluctuate dramatically over time, even completely draining and refilling. When full, it has reached depths of around 100-115 feet (approximately 30-35 meters).
- Geological Wonder: It's one of only two natural lakes in the world known to exhibit this self-cleaning, cyclical draining process through a complex system of underground plumbing.
- "Dirty Dancing" Fame: Mountain Lake gained international fame as the filming location for the iconic 1987 movie "Dirty Dancing," where it was known as Kellerman's Mountain House.
- Ecological Significance: The lake and its surrounding Mountain Lake Wilderness area are ecologically important, housing a diverse array of flora and fauna.
Other Notable Deep Reservoirs:
- Lake Moomaw: Created by the Gathright Dam on the Jackson River in western Virginia, Lake Moomaw is another significantly deep reservoir, reaching depths of over 150 feet. It is known for its clear waters and scenic mountain setting within the George Washington National Forest.
When considering sheer depth, man-made reservoirs like Smith Mountain Lake (around 250 feet) typically reach greater depths than Virginia's natural lakes. However, Mountain Lake holds the special distinction of being the Commonwealth's deepest natural lake (when full, around 100-115 feet), celebrated for its unique geological behavior and cinematic history. Both types of deep-water bodies offer Virginians and visitors significant recreational, ecological, and scenic value.
Sources:
- Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR)
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (for dam and reservoir information like Lake Moomaw)
- Smith Mountain Lake Partnership
- Mountain Lake Lodge / Mountain Lake Conservancy
- Geological surveys and studies of Virginia's lakes
- Virginia Tourism Corporation
