ROANOKE, Va. -- APCo employees recently assisted the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) with a habitat project designed to increase fish populations in Smith Mountain Lake. 

The project involved constructing nursery structures that provide a safe haven for young fish. Each structure features eight posts with attached slats, allowing juvenile fish to escape predators, such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass and catfish — all of which are native to the lake.  

In addition to allowing refuge, the structures promote the growth of algae, which serve as a vital food source for the young fish. Employees utilized the company's barge to expertly assemble the structures, which were then transported by the DWR to shallower waters, where they were strategically placed at an optimal depth of 12-15 feet. 

Mark McGlothlin, maintenance supervisor at Smith Mountain and Leesville lakes, said the project has a positive impact on the lake's ecosystem.  

"These structures will be in place just in time for the spawning season in early spring," he noted. "Im confident we will see many juvenile fish congregating around them in March or April, using them as a safe refuge until they are mature enough to fend for themselves." 

McGlothlin emphasized that this collaboration with DWR is a testament to the company's commitment to environmental stewardship. "This project represents just one of the many initiatives we undertake to preserve the natural beauty and ecosystem of the lake for future generations."