History

Before the 1950's the Smith River was a typical southern warm-water river originating from the high terrain of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

In the early 1950's demand for electricity and flood control in the area prompted the Army Corps of Engineers to create a dam in order to facilitate such needs. At the time, the project cost over 13 million dollars.

The construction of Philpott Dam and the subsequent formation of the Philpott Reservoir drastically changed the nature of the Smith River.

Click here to see an aerial photograph of the Smith before the construction of Philpott Dam (470k)


Place your cursor on the photo to see views from above and below Philpott Dam.	Before the 1950's the Smith River was a typical southern warm-water river originating from the high terrain of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In the early 1950's demand for electricity and flood control in the area prompted the Army Corps of Engineers to create a dam in order to facilitate such needs. At the time, the project cost over 13 million dollars. The construction of Philpott Dam and the subsequent formation of the Philpott Reservoir drastically changed the nature of the Smith River. Click here to see an aerial photograph of the Smith before the construction of Philpott Dam (470k)
Large, stationary bodies of water such as Philpott Reservoir undergo seasonal changes of temperature called turnovers. During the summer months, the upper layer of water becomes warm while the deepest water remains very cold. In order to produce electricity, water must be moved from the reservoir through the dam to the river below. During generation, water released from the dam to the Smith River is a chilly 46 degrees Fahrenheit (8°C) even during the summer. The temperatures have allowed cool water species such as trout to inhabit the Smith. However, temperature and velocity fluctuations due to water releases may have an adverse effect upon other organisms.
		Today the Smith River is a popular destination for many anglers nationwide. The river still boasts the Virginia state record brown trout. Caught in 1979, the trout weighed in at 18 pounds, 11 ounces.
		View a topographic map of the Smith River before the dam's construction (PDF) Read newspaper clippings related to the Smith River's history (PDF)
Aerial photo courtesy of: "Definite Project Report on Phillpot Reservoir" USACE. Other photos courtesy of: Mary Rummel