Water level
1,718.41ft NAVD88
0.00 ft in 7 daysOct 11Oct 18Oct 25
Sep 25Oct 10Oct 25
Reading from Oct 26, 2026.
Lake Kampeska was at 1,718.41 ft on October 26, holding steady over the past week (0.00 ft).
South DakotaNatural lake, 5,250 acres, Watertown
Lake Kampeska conditions today
Right now on Kampeska
loading
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
1,718.41ft
Steady this week
Sailing
CheckingReading the forecast
Kayak and SUP
CheckingReading the forecast
Power boating
CheckingReading the forecast
Fishing
CheckingReading 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 12 to 14 kt, gusts to 24 kt, high near 41°F, 99% chance of rain. Tuesday: SSW wind 4 to 11 kt, gusts to 20 kt, high near 51°F.
7-day wind forecastLive radar
Loads when you scroll here
Radar will load here
LightHeavy
Last hour of NOAA MRMS radar, 1 km resolution. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, OpenMapTiles, OpenFreeMap.
Lake facts
- Type
- Natural lake
- State
- South Dakota
- County
- Watertown
- Surface area
- 5,250 acres
- Elevation
- 1,716 ft
- Max depth
- 16 ft
- USGS gauge
- 06479449, Lake Kampeska at Water Plant at Watertown, SD
- Coordinates
- 44.9315° N, 97.2077° W
Background reading: Lake Kampeska on Wikipedia
About Lake Kampeska
Lake Kampeska is a 5,250-acre natural lake in Watertown, South Dakota. The surface sits about 1,716 ft above sea level and the deepest point is roughly 16 ft down.
We read the level from USGS gauge 06479449, listed as Lake Kampeska at Water Plant at Watertown, SD. Wind and weather come from the National Weather Service grid cell over the lake, so the numbers describe open water rather than the nearest airport.
It is big enough for a proper sail but small enough that waves rarely get serious. Gusts off the shoreline are usually the bigger story than wave height.
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.
Lake Kampeska questions
Is it windy on Lake Kampeska today?
The National Weather Service forecast for the lake from October 26: Monday: ENE wind 12 to 14 kt, gusts to 24 kt, high near 41°F, 99% chance of rain. 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 Lake Kampeska right now?
Lake Kampeska was at 1,718.41 ft on October 26, holding steady over the past week (0.00 ft).
How big is Lake Kampeska?
Lake Kampeska covers about 5,250 acres (8.2 square miles) of surface water.
How deep is Lake Kampeska?
The deepest point of Lake Kampeska is roughly 16 ft.
Nearby lakes
If Kampeska is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their conditions.
- Pelican LakeNatural lake, 2,801 ac, South Dakota5 mi
- Goose LakeNatural lake, 1,948 ac, South Dakota7 mi
- Long LakeNatural lake, 2,489 ac, South Dakota9 mi
- Grass LakeNatural lake, 1,610 ac, South Dakota13 mi
- Lake MarshNatural lake, 1,581 ac, South Dakota20 mi
- Goose LakeNatural lake, 1,483 ac, South Dakota22 mi