VirginiaReservoir, 49,421 acres
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287.98ft
Down 0.20 ft this week
Sailing
CheckingReading the forecast
Kayak and SUP
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Power boating
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Fishing
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Outlook. Monday: NW wind 1 to 2 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 70°F. Tuesday: NNE wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 73°F.
7-day wind forecastLoads when you scroll here
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Last hour of NOAA MRMS radar, 1 km resolution. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, OpenMapTiles, OpenFreeMap.
287.98ft NGVD29
-0.20 ft in 7 days10.27 ft below the October normal
Reading from Oct 26, 2026. Shaded band: range of October averages on record; dashed line is the typical level.
John H. Kerr Reservoir was at 287.98 ft on October 26, falling 0.20 ft over the past week. That is well below normal for October: the typical October level is 298.25 ft, so the lake is 10.27 ft below its usual mark.
Background reading: John H. Kerr Reservoir on Wikipedia
John H. Kerr Reservoir covers about 49,421 acres in Virginia and is classed as a reservoir. The reservoir dates to 1953.
Water level on this page comes from USGS gauge 02079490 (John H. Kerr Reservoir at Dam near Boydton, VA), about 2 mi from the middle of the lake. 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.
The National Weather Service forecast for the lake from October 26: Monday: NW wind 1 to 2 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 70°F. 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.
John H. Kerr Reservoir was at 287.98 ft on October 26, falling 0.20 ft over the past week. That is well below normal for October: the typical October level is 298.25 ft, so the lake is 10.27 ft below its usual mark.
John H. Kerr Reservoir covers about 49,421 acres (77 square miles) of surface water.
The dam that forms John H. Kerr Reservoir was completed in 1953.
If John H. Kerr is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their conditions.