TexasReservoir, 3,361 acres, Gregg County, Rusk County
Lake Cherokee water level
Current level
276.99ft NAVD88
Reading from Oct 26, 2026
Well below normal for October
- Past 24 hours
- -0.03ft
- Past 7 days
- -0.16ft
- Past 30 days
- -0.54ft
- vs typical October
- -1.96ft
Lake Cherokee was at 276.99 ft on October 26, falling 0.16 ft over the past week. That is well below normal for October: the typical October level is 278.95 ft, so the lake is 1.96 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 NAVD88) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 24, 2026 | 277.02 | -0.02 |
| Oct 23, 2026 | 277.04 | -0.03 |
| Oct 22, 2026 | 277.07 | -0.02 |
| Oct 21, 2026 | 277.09 | -0.03 |
| Oct 20, 2026 | 277.12 | -0.03 |
| Oct 19, 2026 | 277.15 | -0.03 |
| Oct 18, 2026 | 277.18 | -0.03 |
| Oct 17, 2026 | 277.21 | -0.05 |
| Oct 16, 2026 | 277.26 | -0.06 |
| Oct 15, 2026 | 277.32 | 0.00 |
| Oct 14, 2026 | 277.32 | -0.01 |
| Oct 13, 2026 | 277.33 | -0.02 |
| Oct 12, 2026 | 277.35 | -0.02 |
| Oct 11, 2026 | 277.37 | -0.03 |
Reading these numbers
Readings are elevations in feet above the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88), the current national reference. Older dam documents often quote NGVD29 instead, which can differ by a few feet. See 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 USGS as Lk Cherokee nr Tatum, TX. 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 Cherokee water level questions
What is the water level at Lake Cherokee today?
Lake Cherokee was at 276.99 ft on October 26, falling 0.16 ft over the past week. That is well below normal for October: the typical October level is 278.95 ft, so the lake is 1.96 ft below its usual mark.
Is Lake Cherokee 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 277.28 to 279.72 ft, with a typical value of 278.95 ft.
Is Lake Cherokee rising or falling?
Over the last seven days the level has fallen (-0.16 ft), and it is -0.54 ft compared with 30 days ago.
Where does the Lake Cherokee water level data come from?
From the U.S. Geological Survey, gauge 08021400 (Lk Cherokee nr Tatum, TX). USGS publishes provisional readings every 15 to 60 minutes; they can be revised later after quality checks.
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 USGS each time you open it.
Nearby lakes
If Cherokee is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their water levels.