ArkansasReservoir, 39,537 acres
Lake Ouachita water level
Current level
568.88ft NGVD29
Reading from Oct 23, 2026
Below normal for October
- Past 24 hours
- -0.05ft
- Past 7 days
- -0.41ft
- Past 30 days
- -1.92ft
- vs typical October
- -0.41ft
Lake Ouachita was at 568.88 ft on October 23, falling 0.41 ft over the past week. That is below normal for October: the typical October level is 569.29 ft, so the lake is 0.41 ft below its usual mark.
Last 30 days
Shaded band shows the lowest and highest October monthly averages on record. Dashed line is the typical October level.
Typical level through the year
Each bar spans the range of monthly averages on record for that month. The line marks the median. The orange dot is where the lake sits now.
Recent daily readings
| Date | Level (ft NGVD29) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 23, 2026 | 568.88 | -0.05 |
| Oct 22, 2026 | 568.93 | -0.06 |
| Oct 21, 2026 | 568.99 | -0.04 |
| Oct 20, 2026 | 569.03 | -0.12 |
| Oct 19, 2026 | 569.15 | -0.01 |
| Oct 18, 2026 | 569.16 | -0.11 |
| Oct 17, 2026 | 569.27 | -0.02 |
| Oct 16, 2026 | 569.29 | -0.02 |
| Oct 15, 2026 | 569.31 | 0.00 |
| Oct 14, 2026 | 569.31 | -0.02 |
| Oct 13, 2026 | 569.33 | -0.08 |
| Oct 12, 2026 | 569.41 | -0.02 |
| Oct 11, 2026 | 569.43 | -0.01 |
| Oct 10, 2026 | 569.44 | -0.05 |
Reading these numbers
Readings are elevations in feet above the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD29), the reference most older dam and lake charts use. If you compare with a newer chart in NAVD88, expect a difference of a few feet. Our glossary explains NGVD29 vs NAVD88.
On a reservoir, a few feet of drop changes the shoreline more than you would think. Low water exposes stumps, sandbars and old roadbeds that are normally well under the hull, and some ramps end before the water does.
High water brings its own problems: floating debris after storms, flooded docks and courtesy piers, and no-wake rules near flooded campgrounds. A quick look at the trend before you hitch up saves a wasted trip.
The gauge is about 8 miles from the center of the lake and is listed by USACE as Blakely Mountain Dam. Wind can pile water up at one end of a big lake for a few hours, so short spikes on a windy day are normal.
Lake Ouachita water level questions
What is the water level at Lake Ouachita today?
Lake Ouachita was at 568.88 ft on October 23, falling 0.41 ft over the past week. That is below normal for October: the typical October level is 569.29 ft, so the lake is 0.41 ft below its usual mark.
Is Lake Ouachita high or low right now?
Compared with the long-term record for October, the lake is below normal. The October monthly average has ranged from 567.95 to 577.83 ft, with a typical value of 569.29 ft.
Is Lake Ouachita rising or falling?
Over the last seven days the level has fallen (-0.41 ft), and it is -1.92 ft compared with 30 days ago.
Where does the Lake Ouachita water level data come from?
From the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reading at Blakely Mountain Dam. The Corps reports pool elevation, usually every hour, and early values can be revised after review.
How often is this page updated?
The page itself is rebuilt every day with the latest daily values, and the current reading refreshes straight from the Corps of Engineers each time you open it.
Nearby lakes
If Ouachita is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their water levels.