Smith Mountain Lake’s unique channel marker system makes it easy to explore 500 miles of shoreline—if you know how to use it. Every marker tells you exactly where you are on the water and helps guide you safely from cove to cove. The network includes more than 153 lighted markers, offering reliable navigation after dark or in low visibility and giving boaters added confidence as they travel the lake’s expansive main channels and winding tributaries.
Understanding the Letters
Designed with boaters in mind, the system traces the Roanoke and Blackwater River channels and branches into key creeks, providing clear guidance no matter where you are on the lake.
Markers include letters to denote the channel or creek they mark:
R – Roanoke River
B – Blackwater River
W – Witcher Creek
WC – Walton Creek
C – Craddock Creek
H – Hatcher Creek
BU – Bull Run
BR – Little Bull Run
LO – Louse Creek
LC – Lynville Creek
BE – Beaverdam Creek
G – Gills Creek
What the Numbers Mean
Each letter is paired with a number that increases as you travel upriver (away from the dam) and decreases as you head downriver. Bigger numbers = farther from the dam.
Colors and Shapes Matter
- Red, triangular markers belong on your right (starboard) side when traveling upriver.
- Green, square markers stay on your left (port) side heading upriver.Reverse this when you’re moving down-lake.
“Red on Right Returning”
A helpful memory tool for boaters is the phrase “Red on Right Returning.” It means red, triangular markers should be kept to your right (starboard) side when you’re heading upriver or back toward the dam. This simple rule makes it easier to stay oriented as channels twist and widen.
Why Markers Matter
These markers outline the safest, deepest routes through SML’s sprawling channels. Following them helps you avoid shallow areas, hidden hazards and unexpected turns—especially in unfamiliar coves or after dark.
Quick Tips
- Keep a lake map or GPS app handy.
- Use markers to estimate your location when meeting friends by boat.
- Slow down when numbers jump quickly as this usually signals a narrow or winding channel.
Need to Report a Marker Issue?
If you notice a damaged, missing or malfunctioning marker, contact the Tri-County Lakes Administrative Commission (TLAC) at 540-721-4400. Timely reports help keep the entire system accurate and safe for all boaters.
Read more about how to use Smith Mountain Lake Channel Markers.
