SML absolutely has some agricultural runoff (much of the area beyond the lake edge is rural/farmland), but the water is deeper in much of it which I think precludes some of the grossness. The main channel has constant current too as the dam between SML and Leesville Lake keeps the water moving. I think some of the shallow coves and such may have some challenges even it’s hot. It’s also gotten so expensive. There are few undeveloped properties left and many of the original modest cabins have been replaced by ginormous mansions. You still have to be careful of drunk boaters but it’s patrolled well in some of the busier areas. The water stays at a fairly constant level all of the time. I wouldn’t consider SML high elevation but it is higher than Anna. It’s a beautiful area but the non-lakefront areas are solid MAGA territory.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Digressing from the current topic - are there any lakes in VA, NC, WVA that are nice?

By nice I mean primarily no algae bloom problems and no fecal contamination problems. Low to moderate amounts of drunken tourists is expected if not ideal.

My dream is a lake like the one in Yellowjackets but not a plane flight away.

I assume Deep Creek Lake and Smith Mountain Lake are both better than Lake Anna.

Any lake where it gets consistently below freezing year over year for a period of time and where there’s little to no agricultural run off will be better positioned to avoid the problems of micro organisms and algae blooms.

Algae is a problem even I'm freezing places. Lake Ontario in Western NY has freezing weather about 4-5 months a year, and there are still frequently algae warnings in the summer.

Nasty!!

I feel bad for current homeowners, what a nightmare for rentals.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Smith Mountain Lake is at higher elevation and doesn’t have farmland runoff and livestock swimming in the lake so safer.

You sure about that?

I don't like any of the manmade lakes in the mid-Atlantic and south. Too much bacteria.

+1

So gross.

Anonymous wrote:Smith Mountain Lake is at higher elevation and doesn’t have farmland runoff and livestock swimming in the lake so safer.

You sure about that?

I don't like any of the manmade lakes in the mid-Atlantic and south. Too much bacteria.

Anonymous wrote:Time for a random check-in to see how things are going at Lake Anna this weekend... Any highly toxic bacteria or algaeal blooms? No... oh, I wonder what IS in the water...

Oh...

https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/lake-anna-body-june-29-2024

Ugh, I can't imagine what the condition of that body was if she drowned early in the spring. 😱

Time for a random check-in to see how things are going at Lake Anna this weekend... Any highly toxic bacteria or algaeal blooms? No... oh, I wonder what IS in the water...

Oh...

https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/lake-anna-body-june-29-2024

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Digressing from the current topic - are there any lakes in VA, NC, WVA that are nice?

By nice I mean primarily no algae bloom problems and no fecal contamination problems. Low to moderate amounts of drunken tourists is expected if not ideal.

My dream is a lake like the one in Yellowjackets but not a plane flight away.

I assume Deep Creek Lake and Smith Mountain Lake are both better than Lake Anna.

Any lake where it gets consistently below freezing year over year for a period of time and where there’s little to no agricultural run off will be better positioned to avoid the problems of micro organisms and algae blooms.

Smith Mountain Lake had algae blooms last summer as well. We vacationed in an area of SML that did not have the algae bloom issues and it was awesome. The water was clean, no party sandbar, a very relaxing low-key vacation.

the party sandbars are SUCH a nuisance anywhere they pop up. Noisy, gross people and then you hear roaring boats full of squealing drunk people blasting "Try that in a small town" all night and you get to pick up all the Whiteclaw cans washing up in the morning. Condoms if you're lucky!

Avoid swimming in Lake Anna:

https://wtop.com/virginia/2024/06/vdh-strongly-recommend-that-the-public-not-go-swimming-in-natural-water-bodies-two-to-three-days-after-a-rain-event-swimming-advisory-issued-for-lake-anna/

The heat can’t be helping things.

Smith Mountain Lake is at higher elevation and doesn’t have farmland runoff and livestock swimming in the lake so safer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Digressing from the current topic - are there any lakes in VA, NC, WVA that are nice?

By nice I mean primarily no algae bloom problems and no fecal contamination problems. Low to moderate amounts of drunken tourists is expected if not ideal.

My dream is a lake like the one in Yellowjackets but not a plane flight away.

I assume Deep Creek Lake and Smith Mountain Lake are both better than Lake Anna.

Any lake where it gets consistently below freezing year over year for a period of time and where there’s little to no agricultural run off will be better positioned to avoid the problems of micro organisms and algae blooms.

Smith Mountain Lake had algae blooms last summer as well. We vacationed in an area of SML that did not have the algae bloom issues and it was awesome. The water was clean, no party sandbar, a very relaxing low-key vacation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Digressing from the current topic - are there any lakes in VA, NC, WVA that are nice?

By nice I mean primarily no algae bloom problems and no fecal contamination problems. Low to moderate amounts of drunken tourists is expected if not ideal.

My dream is a lake like the one in Yellowjackets but not a plane flight away.

I assume Deep Creek Lake and Smith Mountain Lake are both better than Lake Anna.

Any lake where it gets consistently below freezing year over year for a period of time and where there’s little to no agricultural run off will be better positioned to avoid the problems of micro organisms and algae blooms.

but are there sandbars?

Anonymous wrote:Digressing from the current topic - are there any lakes in VA, NC, WVA that are nice?

By nice I mean primarily no algae bloom problems and no fecal contamination problems. Low to moderate amounts of drunken tourists is expected if not ideal.

My dream is a lake like the one in Yellowjackets but not a plane flight away.

I assume Deep Creek Lake and Smith Mountain Lake are both better than Lake Anna.

Any lake where it gets consistently below freezing year over year for a period of time and where there’s little to no agricultural run off will be better positioned to avoid the problems of micro organisms and algae blooms.

Anonymous wrote:https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/blog/2024/06/21/swimming-advisory-issued-for-upper-north-anna-branch-of-lake-anna-in-louisa-county-due-to-harmful-algae-bloom/

Another water warning don't go this weekend

It really makes you worry for those people at the sandbar...

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/blog/2024/06/21/swimming-advisory-issued-for-upper-north-anna-branch-of-lake-anna-in-louisa-county-due-to-harmful-algae-bloom/

Another water warning don't go this weekend