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North DakotaReservoir, 314,243 acres

Lake Sakakawea water level

Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota
Photo: Harry Weddington, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain

Current level

1,823.92ft NGVD29

Reading from Oct 26, 2026

Well below normal for October

Past 24 hours
-0.02ft
Past 7 days
-0.04ft
Past 30 days
-0.34ft
vs typical October
-15.40ft

Lake Sakakawea was at 1,823.92 ft on October 26, holding steady over the past week (-0.04 ft). That is well below normal for October: the typical October level is 1,839.32 ft, so the lake is 15.40 ft below its usual mark.

Last 30 days

1824.01824.5Sep 26Oct 11Oct 26

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.

183018401850JFMAMJJASOND

Recent daily readings

Lake Sakakawea daily mean water level, newest first
DateLevel (ft NGVD29)Change
Oct 26, 20261,823.90-0.04
Oct 25, 20261,823.94-0.32
Oct 24, 20261,824.26+0.32
Oct 23, 20261,823.94+0.01
Oct 22, 20261,823.93-0.06
Oct 21, 20261,823.99+0.03
Oct 20, 20261,823.960.00
Oct 19, 20261,823.96-0.12
Oct 18, 20261,824.08+0.06
Oct 17, 20261,824.02-0.12
Oct 16, 20261,824.14-0.23
Oct 15, 20261,824.37+0.27
Oct 14, 20261,824.10-0.08
Oct 13, 20261,824.18+0.07

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.

Reservoir levels are managed. Operators lower them ahead of flood season, hold them for summer recreation, and draw them down for dam work. When the lake falls well below its usual level, shallow points and stumps start showing up in places that are normally safe.

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 listed by USACE as Garrison Dam & Reservoir. 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 Sakakawea water level questions

What is the water level at Lake Sakakawea today?

Lake Sakakawea was at 1,823.92 ft on October 26, holding steady over the past week (-0.04 ft). That is well below normal for October: the typical October level is 1,839.32 ft, so the lake is 15.40 ft below its usual mark.

Is Lake Sakakawea high or low right now?

Compared with the long-term record for October, the lake is well below normal. The October monthly average has ranged from 1,830.81 to 1,844.39 ft, with a typical value of 1,839.32 ft.

Is Lake Sakakawea rising or falling?

Over the last seven days the level has held roughly steady (-0.04 ft), and it is -0.34 ft compared with 30 days ago.

Where does the Lake Sakakawea water level data come from?

From the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reading at Garrison Dam & Reservoir. 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 Sakakawea is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their water levels.