Is Lake Winni comparable to Smith mountain lake in Virginia

Steve1 · 08-03-2016, 10:07 AM

Hello, I am thinking of moving closer to family down south in Virginia but I prefer to live near a lake. I looked up some and Smith mountain lake seemed like a miniature winni in the south. It's surrounded by small mountains and it is quite big. Only thing I'm curious about is if any of you have visited both. Is the water nicer and is it comparable to lake winni and what is the bottom like lastly. Thank you

granitebox · 08-03-2016, 10:23 AM

Not even close.

Smith Mountain lake has fluctuated water levels (daily) as the has a hydro station on it and pumps also. During the night the water levels rise, during the day, they fall as demand increases.

As far as clarity - forget about it. Can't even compare, there is no clarity at SML. The bottom is mainly clay/mud. There are rocks.

Remember, SML is a man made lake - the shore line, where developed is stabilized with lots of rip rap. The undeveloped portions are still functional farms where you will see cows at the waters edge and you can get farm runoff.

I'm from NH, visit frequently but live and have family in the south including on Leesville Lake (the river below SML on the other side of the dam.

Overall you will need to reset your compass, comparing southern lakes to Winni isn't going to result in your satisfaction, compare them to other southern lakes and make the best selection based upon what's important to you.

thebix · 08-03-2016, 10:27 AM

Rent the movie What About Bob. All about Lake Winni, but actually filmed on SML!

We are native New Englanders but spend a few years in Richmond, Virginia (now back home for retirement and to be near the grand kids!), We spent weekends on SML for 10 years in an RV at campgrounds at SML (Mitchell Point at the end),

Very nice lake, much warmer water (swim in mid-May, lighted boat parade for Christmas).
Its like several long wide rivers that twist and turn as you go upstream, and then the water gets very shallow upstream.
The bottom is muddy (it was created in 1963 so it hasn't had the thousands of years that Winni had to form sand), few rocks and islands but some fallen buried trees from when the lake was formed from the dam.

Visit the power dam, very interesting story of the construction. of the lake.

Only one 'port' to visit, the Bridgwater Plaza. But if one is at the Crazy Horse Marina, its a nice long ride down the Blackwater channel to the main lake then upriver on the Roanoke to Bridgewater.

The area is very rural, long ride over the mountain roads to any city shopping.
Summer weather is HOT and HUMID, but it is Virginia, 20 days of above 95 in July!

jetlag100 · 08-03-2016, 10:55 AM

It appears that Smith Mountain Lake is much bigger than Winni...says 500 miles of shoreline? Made me look it up when I saw your post...thanks for my days "lesson"

Greene's Basin Girl · 08-03-2016, 11:01 AM

I have been raised on L. Winnipesaukee my entire life, except for a few years when I first got married. At that time we lived on Smith Mountain Lake. There is NO COMPARISON! As others have stated the lake is man made and the water is very murky. I always felt dirty when I was in it. The lake has fish that look like the sunfish on lake Winnipesaukee. They do not just nibble. When they bite they draw blood. I couldn't even put my young son in the lake. One 4th of July we took the boat to the fireworks. They let off one firework and that was it. I was shocked. Right before I moved they were in Moneta, VA (where we lived) filming "What About Bob". I took photos and when I moved back to NH I wrote an article which was printed in the Meredith News. After we moved the taxes in Moneta were increased above belief. Yes the winters are warmer, but the summer's are very hot. The temperature of the water in the summer was too hot for my liking. I think you can guess what lake I like better. I do not want to be anywhere else except L. Winnipesaukee during the summer and fall.

thinkxingu · 08-03-2016, 12:06 PM

I think it's awesome how many people here know SML!

thebix · 08-03-2016, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetlag100

It appears that Smith Mountain Lake is much bigger than Winni...says 500 miles of shoreline? Made me look it up when I saw your post...thanks for my days "lesson"

SML is 32 square miles of water, Winni is 72. The SML shoreline is huge because it was made from a number of rivers combined, long and skinny. The largest body of open water reminds me of Moultonboro Bay, not the center of Winni!

winterh · 08-03-2016, 03:55 PM

As i get older I think about how I would love to live on a lake like Winni but have warm weather most of the year. From what little research I have done. They don't exist. Lakes in the south are just different. Muddy, often man made, weeds...
I spent some time in MN and was amazed at how filled with weeds the lakes were there to. I think I will stay here and put up with the winters.
Lake Tahoe, maybe the big one in Idaho..? Never been there but those look nice

beantownbaby · 08-03-2016, 08:45 PM

The members of this forum are so helpful. It has been interesting reading about SML. Does anyone have answers to the same questions about Lake Norman in NC? We love it here but are considering this lake down the road when we are older. Thank you for any help.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

GusMan · 08-03-2016, 09:38 PM

Hi All,

Having fished all my life in NH, I agree, southern lakes are completely different from our pristine natural lakes.

I have fished many southern lakes (mostly manmade reservoirs) including Santee Cooper, Hartwell, Wylie, Murray, Keowee, and Jocassee in South Carolina. Guntersville, Wilson, Wheeler, and Pickwick in Alabama. And a couple in Florida... The closest I've found to anything like our Lakes is Jocassee in SC... a mountain reservoir with pretty clear water (deep!) and smallies and trout to boot. Keowee is a distant second, but really nice too.

Oh...but watch for gators too!

Cheers.....

Gusman

8gv · 08-03-2016, 10:50 PM

I have no SM Lake experience but I have fished Lake Anna.

I was amazed at how murky it was. The water didn't look tinged, it looked like coffee with cream.

If I had grown up there it would be ok. New England lakes, especially Winnie,
have me spoiled!

Steve1 · 08-04-2016, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beantownbaby

The members of this forum are so helpful. It has been interesting reading about SML. Does anyone have answers to the same questions about Lake Norman in NC? We love it here but are considering this lake down the road when we are older. Thank you for any help.

I just joined a couple of days ago and I am very impressed with how nice and informative people are on this forum. I am also curious myself about lake murray in SC which is similar to Lake Norman. There is already a forum here comparing Norman and Winni. Here is the link:

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ad.php?t=10810

donnamatrix · 08-04-2016, 08:03 AM

Hi Steve: My sister-in-law just sold house on SML in Goodview, VA. The lakes are totally different. We much prefer Winni. Better water quality, clarity, temperature, no water moccasin snakes!! Also, it gets so damn hot down there, I couldn't deal with it. Great fishing, though!

dickiej · 08-05-2016, 06:29 AM

Try Lake Norman in North Carolina.....three times the size of Winni! Water clarity is good, but bottom is red clay so it reflects the sunlight back up and appears to be cloudy. We have a friend who has a 22' toon and we love to put around the lake seeing the NASCAR drivers homes......HUGE, some with heli pads!

Doobs41378 · 08-05-2016, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dickiej

Try Lake Norman in North Carolina.....three times the size of Winni! Water clarity is good, but bottom is red clay so it reflects the sunlight back up and appears to be cloudy. We have a friend who has a 22' toon and we love to put around the lake seeing the NASCAR drivers homes......HUGE, some with heli pads!

According to Google, Lake Norman is 22 sq miles smaller than Winni. Maybe it just seems bigger.

dickiej · 08-05-2016, 03:51 PM

I think longer but narrower.....another TVA man made lake.

Barney Bear · 08-05-2016, 04:17 PM

Wikipedia indicates that Lake Norman is just over 50 square miles in area. Photos show a beautiful location. 🐻

HomeWood · 08-05-2016, 07:14 PM

The lakes down here in the Raleigh, NC area are blah. Tan or even brown water from the mud/clay and it feels gross to touch the bottom. You usually can't see more than maybe 2-3 feet into the water. Most if not all around here are man made. I live on a small pond and it is not for swimming. Storm water runs into it and who knows what kind of bacteria and stuff are in it. The fishing is okay and it's good for an evening canoe ride. It's nice to look out over when eating dinner or having morning coffee. Give me the lakes region everyday and twice on Sunday! Oh, ya..I'll be up next week!

chasedawg · 08-05-2016, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomeWood

The lakes down here in the Raleigh, NC area are blah. Tan or even brown water from the mud/clay and it feels gross to touch the bottom. You usually can't see more than maybe 2-3 feet into the water. Most if not all around here are man made. I live on a small pond and it is not for swimming. Storm water runs into it and who knows what kind of bacteria and stuff are in it. The fishing is okay and it's good for an evening canoe ride. It's nice to look out over when eating dinner or having morning coffee. Give me the lakes region everyday and twice on Sunday! Oh, ya..I'll be up next week!

Please don't compare and downgrade our beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee to those other Southern Lakes. There is no comparison. Most all are man made with red clay or some other mucky bottom. If you want to compare try Lake Tahoe for starters. Lake Tahoe has been described as the Lake Winni of the West. I have traveled to Lake Tahoe. It is beautiful. But I would not want to live there and boat there. Now if you want to start a new conversation please discuss the lakes out West like Lake Tahoe. That to me would be more informative.

Doobs41378 · 08-06-2016, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasedawg

Please don't compare and downgrade our beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee to those other Southern Lakes. There is no comparison. Most all are man made with red clay or some other mucky bottom. If you want to compare try Lake Tahoe for starters. Lake Tahoe has been described as the Lake Winni of the West. I have traveled to Lake Tahoe. It is beautiful. But I would not want to live there and boat there. Now if you want to start a new conversation please discuss the lakes out West like Lake Tahoe. That to me would be more informative.

But how would talking about Lake Tahoe help the guy out who wants to move south to be close to family?

ApS · 08-06-2016, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve1

I just joined a couple of days ago and I am very impressed with how nice and informative people are on this forum. I am also curious myself about lake murray in SC which is similar to Lake Norman. There is already a forum here comparing Norman and Winni. Here is the link:
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ad.php?t=10810

Alligators and muddy waters in South Carolina?

The complaints about Southern lakes make me appreciate more the clear lakes of Central Florida.

Catch two Largemouth Bass with one cast!

http://winnipesaukee.com/forums/show...221#post252221

.

Billy Bob · 08-06-2016, 08:08 AM

We lived down there for a time and if you want water the ocean is the only way to go . The lakes are loaded with all kinds of stuff from bacteria to snakes and gators , nightmare stuff . I hear banjos

Slickcraft · 08-06-2016, 08:31 AM

My wife's cousin has a cottage on Norman and we have visited twice. We were not impressed with the lake. (However he is impressed with Winni every time he visits here). It is a dammed up river, long and narrow. Compared to Winni the water was warm and murky.

Results of secchi disk testing on Norman showed visibility down to 70.4" or 5.9 feet:
http://www.lakenormanpublications.co...8a532f9d3.html

My wife and I sampled a deep spot on Winni the past 5 years. The average visable secchi disk depth was 9.6 meters or 31.5 feet. More than 5 times the viewing depth of Lake Norman.

HomeWood · 08-06-2016, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasedawg

Please don't compare and downgrade our beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee to those other Southern Lakes. There is no comparison. Most all are man made with red clay or some other mucky bottom. If you want to compare try Lake Tahoe for starters. Lake Tahoe has been described as the Lake Winni of the West. I have traveled to Lake Tahoe. It is beautiful. But I would not want to live there and boat there. Now if you want to start a new conversation please discuss the lakes out West like Lake Tahoe. That to me would be more informative.

Can you point out where I downgraded Winnipesaukee? Seriously, point it out. I said, "Give me the lakes region everyday and twice on Sunday" Winnipesaukee is in the lakes region of NH. Check a map of the USA and you'll see that Raleigh, NC is closer to VA than Lake Tahoe is. The lakes in VA are similar to lakes in NC. My cousin lives on a lake in VA and I recall the water quality being similar to my local lakes. The OP was talking about southern lakes, so your post about Tahoe is even less informative here.

chasedawg · 08-06-2016, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomeWood

The lakes down here in the Raleigh, NC area are blah. Tan or even brown water from the mud/clay and it feels gross to touch the bottom. You usually can't see more than maybe 2-3 feet into the water. Most if not all around here are man made. I live on a small pond and it is not for swimming. Storm water runs into it and who knows what kind of bacteria and stuff are in it. The fishing is okay and it's good for an evening canoe ride. It's nice to look out over when eating dinner or having morning coffee. Give me the lakes region everyday and twice on Sunday! Oh, ya..I'll be up next week!

Ok I agree. this is what you posted. Help me understand your issue.

HomeWood · 08-06-2016, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasedawg

Ok I agree. this is what you posted. Help me understand your issue.

Issue? I was sharing information about what the lakes are generally like in this region of the country. Have a good night.

08-03-2016, 10:07 AM	#1
Steve1 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Northern R.I Posts: 2 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Is Lake Winni comparable to Smith mountain lake in Virginia Hello, I am thinking of moving closer to family down south in Virginia but I prefer to live near a lake. I looked up some and Smith mountain lake seemed like a miniature winni in the south. It's surrounded by small mountains and it is quite big. Only thing I'm curious about is if any of you have visited both. Is the water nicer and is it comparable to lake winni and what is the bottom like lastly. Thank you

08-03-2016, 10:27 AM	#3
thebix Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Down since 2009. Posts: 100 Thanks: 2 Thanked 33 Times in 24 Posts	What about Bob Rent the movie What About Bob. All about Lake Winni, but actually filmed on SML! We are native New Englanders but spend a few years in Richmond, Virginia (now back home for retirement and to be near the grand kids!), We spent weekends on SML for 10 years in an RV at campgrounds at SML (Mitchell Point at the end), Very nice lake, much warmer water (swim in mid-May, lighted boat parade for Christmas). Its like several long wide rivers that twist and turn as you go upstream, and then the water gets very shallow upstream. The bottom is muddy (it was created in 1963 so it hasn't had the thousands of years that Winni had to form sand), few rocks and islands but some fallen buried trees from when the lake was formed from the dam. Visit the power dam, very interesting story of the construction. of the lake. Only one 'port' to visit, the Bridgwater Plaza. But if one is at the Crazy Horse Marina, its a nice long ride down the Blackwater channel to the main lake then upriver on the Roanoke to Bridgewater. The area is very rural, long ride over the mountain roads to any city shopping. Summer weather is HOT and HUMID, but it is Virginia, 20 days of above 95 in July!

08-03-2016, 08:45 PM	#9
beantownbaby Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 41 Thanks: 153 Thanked 10 Times in 5 Posts	Is Lake Winni comparable to Smith mountain lake in Virginia The members of this forum are so helpful. It has been interesting reading about SML. Does anyone have answers to the same questions about Lake Norman in NC? We love it here but are considering this lake down the road when we are older. Thank you for any help. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Last edited by beantownbaby; 08-03-2016 at 10:17 PM.

08-04-2016, 08:03 AM	#13
donnamatrix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 833 Thanks: 24 Thanked 258 Times in 120 Posts	SML no contest with Winni Hi Steve: My sister-in-law just sold house on SML in Goodview, VA. The lakes are totally different. We much prefer Winni. Better water quality, clarity, temperature, no water moccasin snakes!! Also, it gets so damn hot down there, I couldn't deal with it. Great fishing, though!

08-05-2016, 04:17 PM	#17
Barney Bear Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 962 Thanks: 495 Thanked 273 Times in 174 Posts	Lake Norman Size Wikipedia indicates that Lake Norman is just over 50 square miles in area. Photos show a beautiful location. 🐻

08-03-2016, 10:23 AM	#2
granitebox Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Steamboat Springs - Bear Island Posts: 157 Thanks: 145 Thanked 81 Times in 36 Posts	Not even close. Smith Mountain lake has fluctuated water levels (daily) as the has a hydro station on it and pumps also. During the night the water levels rise, during the day, they fall as demand increases. As far as clarity - forget about it. Can't even compare, there is no clarity at SML. The bottom is mainly clay/mud. There are rocks. Remember, SML is a man made lake - the shore line, where developed is stabilized with lots of rip rap. The undeveloped portions are still functional farms where you will see cows at the waters edge and you can get farm runoff. I'm from NH, visit frequently but live and have family in the south including on Leesville Lake (the river below SML on the other side of the dam. Overall you will need to reset your compass, comparing southern lakes to Winni isn't going to result in your satisfaction, compare them to other southern lakes and make the best selection based upon what's important to you.

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08-03-2016, 10:55 AM	#4
jetlag100 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Revere, Massachusetts and Moultonborough, N.H. Posts: 311 Thanks: 228 Thanked 79 Times in 50 Posts	It appears that Smith Mountain Lake is much bigger than Winni...says 500 miles of shoreline? Made me look it up when I saw your post...thanks for my days "lesson"

08-03-2016, 11:01 AM	#5
Greene's Basin Girl Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Moultonborough, NH Posts: 1,515 Thanks: 394 Thanked 527 Times in 269 Posts	I have been raised on L. Winnipesaukee my entire life, except for a few years when I first got married. At that time we lived on Smith Mountain Lake. There is NO COMPARISON! As others have stated the lake is man made and the water is very murky. I always felt dirty when I was in it. The lake has fish that look like the sunfish on lake Winnipesaukee. They do not just nibble. When they bite they draw blood. I couldn't even put my young son in the lake. One 4th of July we took the boat to the fireworks. They let off one firework and that was it. I was shocked. Right before I moved they were in Moneta, VA (where we lived) filming "What About Bob". I took photos and when I moved back to NH I wrote an article which was printed in the Meredith News. After we moved the taxes in Moneta were increased above belief. Yes the winters are warmer, but the summer's are very hot. The temperature of the water in the summer was too hot for my liking. I think you can guess what lake I like better. I do not want to be anywhere else except L. Winnipesaukee during the summer and fall.

08-03-2016, 12:06 PM	#6
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,231 Thanks: 1,171 Thanked 2,055 Times in 1,275 Posts	I think it's awesome how many people here know SML!

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08-03-2016, 03:55 PM	#8
winterh Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 249 Thanks: 30 Thanked 135 Times in 62 Posts	As i get older I think about how I would love to live on a lake like Winni but have warm weather most of the year. From what little research I have done. They don't exist. Lakes in the south are just different. Muddy, often man made, weeds... I spent some time in MN and was amazed at how filled with weeds the lakes were there to. I think I will stay here and put up with the winters. Lake Tahoe, maybe the big one in Idaho..? Never been there but those look nice

08-03-2016, 09:38 PM	#10
GusMan Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 133 Thanks: 1 Thanked 45 Times in 26 Posts	Hi All, Having fished all my life in NH, I agree, southern lakes are completely different from our pristine natural lakes. I have fished many southern lakes (mostly manmade reservoirs) including Santee Cooper, Hartwell, Wylie, Murray, Keowee, and Jocassee in South Carolina. Guntersville, Wilson, Wheeler, and Pickwick in Alabama. And a couple in Florida... The closest I've found to anything like our Lakes is Jocassee in SC... a mountain reservoir with pretty clear water (deep!) and smallies and trout to boot. Keowee is a distant second, but really nice too. Oh...but watch for gators too! Cheers..... Gusman

08-03-2016, 10:50 PM	#11
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,093 Thanks: 64 Thanked 744 Times in 478 Posts	I have no SM Lake experience but I have fished Lake Anna. I was amazed at how murky it was. The water didn't look tinged, it looked like coffee with cream. If I had grown up there it would be ok. New England lakes, especially Winnie, have me spoiled!

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08-05-2016, 06:29 AM	#14
dickiej Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: White Salmon, WA Posts: 299 Thanks: 21 Thanked 171 Times in 93 Posts	Try Lake Norman in North Carolina.....three times the size of Winni! Water clarity is good, but bottom is red clay so it reflects the sunlight back up and appears to be cloudy. We have a friend who has a 22' toon and we love to put around the lake seeing the NASCAR drivers homes......HUGE, some with heli pads!

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08-05-2016, 03:51 PM	#16
dickiej Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: White Salmon, WA Posts: 299 Thanks: 21 Thanked 171 Times in 93 Posts	I think longer but narrower.....another TVA man made lake.

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08-05-2016, 07:14 PM	#18
HomeWood Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Clayton,NC / Sanbornton,NH Posts: 611 Thanks: 126 Thanked 137 Times in 75 Posts	The lakes down here in the Raleigh, NC area are blah. Tan or even brown water from the mud/clay and it feels gross to touch the bottom. You usually can't see more than maybe 2-3 feet into the water. Most if not all around here are man made. I live on a small pond and it is not for swimming. Storm water runs into it and who knows what kind of bacteria and stuff are in it. The fishing is okay and it's good for an evening canoe ride. It's nice to look out over when eating dinner or having morning coffee. Give me the lakes region everyday and twice on Sunday! Oh, ya..I'll be up next week!

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08-06-2016, 08:08 AM	#22
Billy Bob Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tiera Verdi Fl & Moultonborough Posts: 318 Thanks: 128 Thanked 167 Times in 101 Posts	Snakes and stuff We lived down there for a time and if you want water the ocean is the only way to go . The lakes are loaded with all kinds of stuff from bacteria to snakes and gators , nightmare stuff . I hear banjos

08-06-2016, 08:31 AM	#23
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,301 Thanks: 1,222 Thanked 2,087 Times in 955 Posts	Lake Norman My wife's cousin has a cottage on Norman and we have visited twice. We were not impressed with the lake. (However he is impressed with Winni every time he visits here). It is a dammed up river, long and narrow. Compared to Winni the water was warm and murky. Results of secchi disk testing on Norman showed visibility down to 70.4" or 5.9 feet: http://www.lakenormanpublications.co...8a532f9d3.html My wife and I sampled a deep spot on Winni the past 5 years. The average visable secchi disk depth was 9.6 meters or 31.5 feet. More than 5 times the viewing depth of Lake Norman. Last edited by Slickcraft; 08-06-2016 at 09:52 AM.