Largest lakes & reservoirs in Central Virginia by acres
There is no widely-accepted minimum surface area that defines a lake. What LakeLubbers describes as a lake, you might call a pond. Acreage of a lake (or sometimes square kilometers) is most often measured at the top surface area when the lake is at normal elevation. The surface area can be considerably smaller or larger when lake levels are lower or higher than normal. North America’s Lake Superior is the world’s largest freshwater lake by this measure.The other measure of a lake’s size is the lake’s water volume. By that measure, the world’s largest freshwater lake is Lake Baikal in Siberia.
You can find many of the world’s largest lakes (acres) on LakeLubbers in the comparison table below. Note: For some lakes, "Largest Lakes - Acres" data is unknown or does not apply, so you may see 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 surface area in acres. 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  |
Surface area in acres |
Lake description |
|---|---|---|
| Smith Mountain Lake, VA (Blue Ridge Highlands, VA, Central Virginia, Southern Virginia Region, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
20,800 ac | 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) |
9,600 ac | 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… |
| Lake Chesdin, VA (Central Virginia, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
3,060 ac | With some of the best freshwater sport fishing and recreation in Virginia, it’s hard to believe that Lake Chesdin is only 30 minutes from metropolitan… |
| Leesville Lake, VA (Central Virginia, Southern Virginia Region, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
3,040 ac | 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… |
| Swift Creek Reservoir, VA (Central Virginia, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
1,700 ac | Surrounded by secluded communities, beautiful Swift Creek Reservoir is the perfect respite in the suburban jungle. Just 20 minutes southwest of Richmo… |
| Briery Creek Lake, VA (Central Virginia, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
845 ac | Also known as Briery Creek Reservoir With his tackle checked and ready and a thermos of coffee to fortify him against the early spring chill, the fisherman climbs into his boat in the pre… |
| Sandy River Reservoir, VA (Central Virginia, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
745 ac | A kayaker slips into a secluded cove and ducks under the rock overhang. On the main body of the lake, a fishing boat carrying a family passes by, the… |
| Lake of the Woods, VA (Central Virginia, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
500 ac | Nestled between Fredericksburg and Culpeper, Virginia, Lake of the Woods is a private residential community consisting of two lakes. Located in Centra… |
| Lake Monticello, VA (Central Virginia, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
350 ac | Lake Monticello, located amidst the gentle rolling hills of Central Virginia, is a private community with a beautiful 350-acre lake. Within easy dista… |
| Swift Creek Lake, VA (Central Virginia, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
107 ac | Just 20 miles from Richmond, Virginia in Chesterfield County, Swift Creek Lake offers a respite for weary city dwellers and plenty of fish and wildlif… |