Appalachian Power will temporarily close the Hardy Ford Public Access area on Smith Mountain Lake for maintenance work beginning December 20, the company said in their latest announcement.
The work will include a major underwater dredging operation in the channel adjacent to the public boat ramp and fishing area located in Bedford County.
An estimated 1,000 cubic yards of sediment will be removed to improve boating access in the area under all lake level conditions.
According to Appalachian Power’s release, it is expected that the work will be completed and the area reopened to the public by mid-February 2018.
The site is operated by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. It is located next to the Hardy Ford Bridge on Hardy Road (Route 634).
Work on construction of a new bridge is currently being done at the location.
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