APCo removes 528 tons of debris from Va. reservoir

ROANOKE, Va. (AP) — Appalachian Power crews have removed more than 500 tons of debris from Smith Mountain Lake's Roanoke River arm.

The utility said Tuesday that the mostly woody debris was washed into the lake by high water.

Process supervisor Teresa Rogers says cleanup crews found less man-made debris than in past years. That's due to volunteer efforts to clean up the river upstream.

Appalachian Power also plans to remove debris from the Blackwater River arm of Smith Mountain and Leesville lakes.

The utility's Smith Mountain Project generates electricity from a dam between Smith Mountain Lake's gap. The water is captured in Leesville Lake downstream and then pumped back into Smith Mountain Lake.