Photo credit: Dave Warren
North Alabama’s man-made Lewis Smith Lake is nestled in parts of Cullman, Walker and Winston countries. Totaling 21,200 acres, it is the deepest lake in Alabama. Considered to be one of the cleanest lakes in the state, Smith Lake provides a rich habitat for wildlife native to the region. In 1954, a lake and dam were initially proposed to produce hydroelectric power for the Alabama Power Company. The dam would also provide a source for drinking water. The site of the Sipsey Fork to the Black Warrior River was chosen for its depth and strategic location. In addition, Smith Lake would provide improved barge traffic conditions for the Black Warrior River. Although the original need for Smith Lake weighed heavily on the use of electricity, it shifted to recreational, residential and environmental benefits.
Smith Lake Dam is one of the largest earth and rock dams in the Eastern United States. The construction began on the dam in November 1957 and officially finished in May 1961. The cost of construction of the lake totaled $29 million. Smith Lake is named after the Alabama Power Company president Lewis M. Smith, who played a major role its designing and planning. Initially predicted to take approximately 5 years to fill up, the lake subsequently only took 11 months due to excessive rain in 1958. Some concerns were raised about the possible ecological and cultural damage to the area due to the flooding. The creation of the lake did lead to the loss of one of Alabama’s largest waterfalls, Clear Creek Falls.
Alabama Power Company began their construction of the dam in the small town of Falls City. Although the land had been bought from prior occupants, many left their homes and belongings behind. In the depths of present-day Smith Lake, trees, barns, cars, and many other structures remain hidden. These underwater constructs often hold Smith Lake secrets. According to urban myth, catfish the size of men lurk in the depths near the dam. Search and rescue missions for boating accident victims prove to be difficult due to the lake’s magnitude. In some places, the lake is charted at 264 feet deep. The sudden drop off in depth is a part of what makes Smith Lake potentially dangerous. Yet today’s allure to Smith Lake is in its vast shoreline, rocky shores and cavernous depths.
Since the 1980’s, Smith Lake has been popular with Alabamians seeking outdoor recreation or looking to purchase a vacation home on its beautiful wooded and rocky shoreline. Because of its depth, Smith Lake proves to be an excellent habitat for a wide variety of fish. Several major professional fishing tournaments have been held at the lake. During the summer months, the lake is teeming with boaters, swimmers and campers. Smith Lake Dam is no longer used as a primary source of hydraulic power by Alabama Power. The amount of energy used from the dam now depends on seasonal rainfall, downstream business and consumer demand. Today, the value of Smith Lake is in its use for outdoor recreation, economic impact and rich ecological benefits.
Alabama Power Company began their construction of the dam in the small town of Falls City. Although the land had been bought from prior occupants, many left their homes and belongings behind. In the depths of present-day Smith Lake, trees, barns, cars, and many other structures remain hidden. These underwater constructs often hold Smith Lake secrets. According to urban myth, catfish the size of men lurk in the depths near the dam. Search and rescue missions for boating accident victims prove to be difficult due to the lake’s magnitude. In some places, the lake is charted at 264 feet deep. The sudden drop off in depth is a part of what makes Smith Lake potentially dangerous. Yet today’s allure to Smith Lake is in its vast shoreline, rocky shores and cavernous depths.
Since the 1980’s, Smith Lake has been popular with Alabamians seeking outdoor recreation or looking to purchase a vacation home on its beautiful wooded and rocky shoreline. Because of its depth, Smith Lake proves to be an excellent habitat for a wide variety of fish. Several major professional fishing tournaments have been held at the lake. During the summer months, the lake is teeming with boaters, swimmers and campers. Smith Lake Dam is no longer used as a primary source of hydraulic power by Alabama Power. The amount of energy used from the dam now depends on seasonal rainfall, downstream business and consumer demand. Today, the value of Smith Lake is in its use for outdoor recreation, economic impact and rich ecological benefits.
 Photo credit: Dave Warren |  Photo credit: Dave Warren |
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Author
Allie Downs is a freshman majoring in Neuroscience at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She was born in Jasper, Alabama and currently lives in the small community of Curry, Alabama, the closest community to the Lewis Smith Lake Dam. Allie plans on applying to medical school after graduation and hopes to fulfill her dream of becoming an anesthesiologist.
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