Smith River Water Release Information
The water release schedule can be obtained 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling (276) 629-2432.
This schedule is always subject to change and anyone relying on this information does so at their own risk. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers can assume NO responsibility.
A horn will sound when a water release is about to start. Please remain aware of your surroundings at all times.
Safety Notice for Smith River Boaters, Fishermen, and Swimmers
Boaters, fishermen and
swimmers using the section of Smith River below Philpott Dam should be aware of
conditions that may represent a danger to health and/or life.
- Dam control: Water release from the dam quickly causes higher than usual water conditions. Higher water moves more quickly downstream than non-dam release flows. Please be aware of the water release schedule by calling 629-2432. The recording tells you of planned releases for the following week. THIS SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.
- Fast moving water: Due to the dam release nature of this river, water moves very quickly through the streambed when the dam is in release mode. If you are out of your boat and in the water, you can float a substantial distance downstream before you can be brought back into a boat and/or rescued.
- Tree/shrub growth into the River: At various places on the river, trees and undergrowth protrude into the river preventing boaters, fishermen and swimmers alike from actually reaching the shore. This can cause difficulty in quickly escaping the streambed.
- Water temperature: The water temperature of the Smith River is extremely cold when the dam is releasing. This condition exists even in the summer time and is due to the distance below the lake surface from which the water is released. If you are exposed to cold temperatures for an extended period of time, there is a risk of hypothermia and/or death. As a rule of thumb, if the total of the water temperature and the air temperature does not total 100, there is a higher than normal risk of hypothermia.
- Shallow water: An inherent condition on most dam-controlled rivers is that the flow is just above the rocks. Trying to stand up in shallow fast moving current is very dangerous and could result in a fatal foot entrapment.
- Fog: Due to the cold water temperature and warm air, there is usually a mist just above the water surface, which can obscure vision. This hazard can hide dangerous obstructions downstream.
Click here for Smith River Canoe and Kayak information
