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South DakotaReservoir, 32,124 acres

Lewis and Clark Lake conditions today

Lewis and Clark Lake, South Dakota
Photo: Jake DeGroot, CC BY-SA 3.0

Right now on Lewis and Clark

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Best window

0pm to 0pm

score

Wind

00kt

Gusts 00

Direction

NE

Blowing from

Air temp

00°F

High

Rain

Dry

next 6 hours

Water level

1,207.84ft

Down 0.12 ft this week

Sailing

Checking

Reading the forecast

Kayak and SUP

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Power boating

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Fishing

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Reading the forecast

Hour by hour

Next 24 hours
Wind and gusts0 to 30+ ktScoreGood, caution, stay ashoreNightBest windowArrows point where the wind blows to.

Outlook. Monday: ENE wind 9 to 12 kt, gusts to 21 kt, high near 51°F, thunderstorms possible. Tuesday: SSW wind 4 to 8 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 60°F.

7-day wind forecast

Live radar

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LightHeavy

Last hour of NOAA MRMS radar, 1 km resolution. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, OpenMapTiles, OpenFreeMap.

Water level

1,207.84ft NGVD29

-0.12 ft in 7 days

0.18 ft above the October normal

Sep 26Oct 11Oct 26

Reading from Oct 26, 2026. Shaded band: range of October averages on record; dashed line is the typical level.

Lewis and Clark Lake was at 1,207.84 ft on October 26, falling 0.12 ft over the past week. That is above normal for October: the typical October level is 1,207.66 ft, so the lake is 0.18 ft above its usual mark.

Lake facts

Type
Reservoir
State
South Dakota
Surface area
32,124 acres
Max depth
46 ft
Dam completed
1952
Level source
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gavins Point Dam & Reservoir
Coordinates
42.8625° N, 97.4917° W

Background reading: Lewis and Clark Lake on Wikipedia

About Lewis and Clark Lake

Lewis and Clark Lake covers about 32,124 acres in South Dakota and is classed as a reservoir. The reservoir dates to 1952. At its deepest it reaches roughly 46 ft.

Water level on this page comes from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reading at Gavins Point Dam & Reservoir, published through the Corps' CWMS data service. Wind, gusts and rain come from the National Weather Service forecast grid that covers the water.

With this much open water, waves build quickly when the wind lines up with the long axis of the lake. Pick a launch on the upwind shore on breezy days and the ride home is easier. Reservoir levels move with releases and inflow, so ramps and beaches can change week to week. The water level page tracks that day by day.

The go or no-go calls above are a starting point, not a guarantee. Read how we score conditions, and always check local rules and posted warnings before you launch.

Lewis and Clark Lake questions

Is it windy on Lewis and Clark Lake today?

The National Weather Service forecast for the lake from October 26: Monday: ENE wind 9 to 12 kt, gusts to 21 kt, high near 51°F, thunderstorms possible. The panel at the top of this page refreshes the current wind, gusts and direction when you open it and turns them into a call for sailing, paddling, power boating and fishing.

What is the water level at Lewis and Clark Lake right now?

Lewis and Clark Lake was at 1,207.84 ft on October 26, falling 0.12 ft over the past week. That is above normal for October: the typical October level is 1,207.66 ft, so the lake is 0.18 ft above its usual mark.

How big is Lewis and Clark Lake?

Lewis and Clark Lake covers about 32,124 acres (50 square miles) of surface water.

How deep is Lewis and Clark Lake?

The deepest point of Lewis and Clark Lake is roughly 46 ft.

When was Lewis and Clark Lake built?

The dam that forms Lewis and Clark Lake was completed in 1952.

Nearby lakes

If Lewis and Clark is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their conditions.