Largest lakes & reservoirs in Central Virginia by shoreline length
The length of the exterior shoreline around a lake is measured at the lake’s normal elevation. The shoreline length can be considerably shorter or longer when lake water levels are lower or higher than normal. A lake with many coves has a much longer shoreline than a lake of similar surface area that is nearly circular in shape.When known, the shoreline miles that we report in our statistics include only the lake’s exterior shoreline, and exclude the shorelines of islands located within a lake’s boundaries. In lakes with many islands, those islands’ combined shorelines may exceed a lake’s exterior shoreline.
You can find many of the world’s longest-shoreline lakes on LakeLubbers. Note: For some lakes, "Longest Shorelines" data is unknown or does not apply, so this table may display fewer lakes than the total 10 articles we have published for Central Virginia lakes.
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Below are lakes within USA > US South Region > Virginia > Central Virginia > Compared by longest shoreline length in miles. This list does not represent all lakes in Central Virginia, only the 10 Central Virginia lake articles we have published on the LakeLubbers website.
Lake name  |
Shoreline length in miles |
Lake description |
|---|---|---|
| Smith Mountain Lake, VA (Blue Ridge Highlands, VA, Central Virginia, Southern Virginia Region, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
580 mi | Also known as Jewel of the Blue Ridge With emerald green shores, sapphire blue skies, topaz blue waters, and soaring surrounding mountains, it’s clear why Smith Mountain Lake is nicknamed … |
| Lake Anna, VA (Central Virginia, Northern Virginia Region, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
200 mi | Lake Anna, covering 13,000 acres of central Virginia, is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the state. It spans Virginia’s Northern and Central to … |
| Leesville Lake, VA (Central Virginia, Southern Virginia Region, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
100 mi | Also known as Leesville Reservoir The 3000+ acre Leesville Lake is another of Virginia’s prolific fishing and outdoor recreation reservoirs. It is part of the Smith Mountain Lake hydro … |
| Lake Monticello, VA (Central Virginia, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
23 mi | Lake Monticello, located amidst the gentle rolling hills of Central Virginia, is a private community with a beautiful 350-acre lake. Within easy dista … |
| Lake of the Woods, VA (Central Virginia, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
13 mi | Nestled between Fredericksburg and Culpeper, Virginia, Lake of the Woods is a private residential community consisting of two lakes. Located in Centra … |
| Swift Creek Reservoir, VA (Central Virginia, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
8 mi | Surrounded by secluded communities, beautiful Swift Creek Reservoir is the perfect respite in the suburban jungle. Just 20 minutes southwest of Richmo … |