Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 15, 1990                   TAG: 9006160433
SECTION: SMITH MOUNTAIN TIMES                    PAGE: SMT-8   EDITION: BEDFORD/FRANKLIN 
SOURCE: TRACY VAN MOORLEHEM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

DAM VISITORS GET TO WATCH MAN, NATURE WORKING TOGETHER

Wrong.

Smith Mountain is one place where man-made and natural wonders work together. The 227-foot-high dam fits in the oversized majesty of this setting.

Tours of the dam are available daily at a visitors center operated by Appalachian Power Co. Since 1967, more than 1 million people have visited the center, which includes hands-on exhibits, breathtaking views and a picnic area overlooking Smith Mountain Lake.

The center was renovated in 1989. One of the additions to the exhibit is an audio-visual presentation documenting the construction of the dam from 1960-66.

Many of the exhibits provide hands-on activities for children and adults. One features a computer game that enables visitors to simulate the job of dam engineers as they produce electricity on demand.

A working model shows visitors how Apco uses a second dam at Leesville, located 16 miles downstream on the Roanoke River, to generate electricity through an innovative pumped-storage process.

Water from the upper reservoir rushes through giant turbines inside Smith Mountain dam, generating electricity. The water that passes through Smith Mountain dam flows into the lower reservoir and some of it runs through Leesville dam, generating additional electricity.

At night and on weekends, the Smith Mountain dam turbines are reversed - pumping water from the lower reservoir to Smith Mountain Lake, where it can be used again for power generation. The reverse turbines are powered by excess energy produced by Apco's coal-fired plants during off-peak hours.

Pumped storage allows Apco to keep Smith Mountain Lake at a fairly constant level, which in turn allows extensive development of the shoreline.

From the visitors center, a trail leads to the observation area at the top of the dam. The overlook is peppered with educational signs, benches and picnic tables. The dam hums quietly in the background, overshadowed by the still reservoir, birds riding air currents to the top of the mountain and water trickling down the rocks of the gorge.

At the foot of the dam, a recreational area complete with grills, picnic tables, shelters and restrooms makes a charming spot for a picnic on the bank of the lower reservoir. There is plenty of parking at both the visitor's center and the picnic area.

Open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, the visitors center is located in Pittsylvania County at the far eastern end of Smith Mountain Lake.

Directions from Hales Ford Bridge: Take Virginia 122 south toward Rocky Mount. At the intersection with Virginia 40, turn left toward Gretna. Follow signs to dam. At Penhook, turn left on Virginia 751, followed by a left on Virginia 777 and another left on Virginia 908.

To make reservations for tours by large groups, call 985-2587.