The maximum depth at the dam is feet 80 m. It is the deepest lake in Alabama. The three-fingered reservoir has over miles km [ 1 ] of shoreline, and at full pool has a level of feet m. One of the largest earthen dams in the eastern United States , it stretches 2, feet m in length and reaches a maximum height of feet 91 m.
Construction began on November 25, , and the dam entered service on September 5, 63 years ago The western side of Smith Lake is partially surrounded by William B. Bankhead which offers camping along the lake's shoreline. Tourist attractions are: Indian head cliff jump 30 ft , Castle Rock 40β50 ft , and the Castle.
Due to the demand of coal along the Black Warrior River in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, a series of locks and dams was added north of the city of Tuscaloosa.
To better regulate the water levels in these locks and dams, local business leaders pressured the federal government to build a dam on the upper fork of the Sipsey Fork tributary of the Black Warrior River.
The planned lake would also provide additional power to the surrounding area during peak hours as well as provide a source of recreational income to the otherwise sparsely populated area.
