Latest news with #SMLA
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Smith Mountain Lake receives $225,000 for HABs testing
SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, Va. (WFXR) – Smith Mountain Lake received more funding from the new state budget signed by Governor Younkin including $225,000. The Smith Mountain Lake Association joined with the Lake Anna Civic Association in requesting the budget to protect Virginia's freshwater lakes and rivers. The funding will allow the Department of Environmental Quality with the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services, to test inland waterways for the presence of harmful algal blooms (HABs). Smith Mountain Lake water quality monitoring enters 39th year This investment comes one year after the General Assembly approved the $150,000 budget to conduct analysis of HABs at SML. This work and data collection is in collaboration with Virginia Tech and SMLA. 'We thank Delegate Bulova, Senator Peake, Senator Reeves, and Senator Stuart for sponsoring the amendments,' said John Vidovich, SMLA President. 'SMLA appreciates the continued support from Governor Younkin and the General Assembly to help keep Smith Mountain Lake clean and safe.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
SML water quality reported to be ‘excellent' by Monitoring Program
SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, Va. (WFXR) – The Smith Mountain Lake Water Quality Monitoring Program has reported on its findings of the lake water health. Data shows the overall health of the lake is 'excellent' after monitoring phosphorus concentration, chlorophyll-a concentration, and water clarity. 'Smith Mountain Lake is known as the Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains for its pristine water,' said SMLA Water Quality Monitoring Program Chair Tom Hardy. 'The work done by our volunteers is essential for protecting the lake for today and for future generations.' Baby giants now swimming in Smith Mountain Lake and other Virginia lakes A team of 53 volunteers participated in the SMLA Water Quality Monitoring Program by donating their time, boats, and gas to head out on the water every two weeks over the summer to collect water samples. These samples helped retrieve water clarity readings. A total of 1,176 data points were collected each year for the past 38 years along with collaborating with scientists from Ferrum College who analyzed the samples and additional measurements. Phosphorus levels have declined in 2024 by 8% lower than the 20-year average. Having too much phosphorus can cause a large algae growth. The highest measures of phosphorus levels reached were in 1999. Take a break at Smith Mountain Lake This data also showed that the concentration of chlorophyll-a was the lowest in the past 20 years. The lake water is also 5% clearer than the 20-year average and is measured by small particles in the water like dirt, silt, and algae. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
