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lakeglance

AlabamaReservoir, 21,020 acres

Lewis Smith Lake water level

Lewis Smith Lake, Alabama
Photo: Quintaped, CC BY-SA 4.0

Current level

498.84ft NGVD29

Reading from Oct 26, 2026

Well below normal for October

Past 24 hours
0.00ft
Past 7 days
+24.84ft
Past 30 days
-1.05ft
vs typical October
-1.91ft

Lewis Smith Lake was at 498.84 ft on October 26, rising 24.84 ft over the past week. That is well below normal for October: the typical October level is 500.75 ft, so the lake is 1.91 ft below its usual mark.

Last 30 days

470480490500typicalSep 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.

500510JFMAMJJASOND

Recent daily readings

Lewis Smith Lake daily mean water level, newest first
DateLevel (ft NGVD29)Change
Oct 26, 2026498.840.00
Oct 25, 2026498.84-0.01
Oct 24, 2026498.85-0.02
Oct 23, 2026498.870.00
Oct 22, 2026498.87-0.01
Oct 21, 2026498.88-0.01
Oct 20, 2026498.89+24.89
Oct 19, 2026474.00-24.93
Oct 18, 2026498.93-0.04
Oct 17, 2026498.97-0.02
Oct 16, 2026498.99+0.01
Oct 15, 2026498.98+0.02
Oct 14, 2026498.96+0.01
Oct 13, 2026498.95+0.02

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 Lewis Smith (APC). 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.

Lewis Smith Lake water level questions

What is the water level at Lewis Smith Lake today?

Lewis Smith Lake was at 498.84 ft on October 26, rising 24.84 ft over the past week. That is well below normal for October: the typical October level is 500.75 ft, so the lake is 1.91 ft below its usual mark.

Is Lewis Smith Lake 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 498.11 to 503.40 ft, with a typical value of 500.75 ft.

Is Lewis Smith Lake rising or falling?

Over the last seven days the level has risen (+24.84 ft), and it is -1.05 ft compared with 30 days ago.

Where does the Lewis Smith Lake water level data come from?

From the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reading at Lewis Smith (APC). 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 Lewis Smith is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their water levels.