Lake Conditions
Illustrated map of Toledo Bend Reservoir

Lake levels

Lake Bistineau, LA

gauge height
3.83 ft
Condition
Below average for this time of year
7-day change
-0.40 ft
30-day change
-0.46 ft
1-year change
-1.93 ft

Reading as of 2026-10-12 | the U.S. Geological Survey

Since yesterday
-0.05 ft
7-day change
-0.40 ft
30-day change
-0.46 ft
1-year change
-1.93 ft
Record high
20.10 ft

In brief

Lake Bistineau's gauge read 3.83 feet on Oct 12, 2026. That is lower than 61% of October readings since 2001.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Gauge height above a local reference point; not elevation above sea level.

Lake level timeline

3.23.53.94.24.5SEP 12SEP 17SEP 22SEP 27OCT 02OCT 07OCT 12HIGH 4.29LOW 3.413.83 ft

Records and averages

Current level3.83 ft
Record high20.10 ft (2016-03-13)
Record low2.42 ft (2010-10-25)
Average of all readings8.84 ft
Data span25 years (9,071 readings)

Level schematic

1.76.511.316.020.8PUBLISHED HIGH 20.10 ft3.83 ftPUBLISHED LOW 2.42 ft

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake Bistineau full right now?

As of 2026-10-12, Lake Bistineau sits at 3.83 ft, which is below average for this time of year. Over the past 30 days the level has fallen 0.46 ft.

What is the water level at Lake Bistineau today?

The most recent reading at Lake Bistineau is 3.83 ft (2026-10-12), sourced from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings on this page refresh automatically as the agency publishes new data.

What is the highest Lake Bistineau has ever been?

The highest level for Lake Bistineau in our records is 20.10 ft on 2016-03-13. The lowest is 2.42 ft on 2010-10-25. Our record covers about 25 years of readings.

Is Lake Bistineau low for this time of year?

Compared with every October in our records, the current level is higher than 39% of them, which we classify as below average for this time of year. Seasonal comparison matters more than the raw number, because most reservoirs draw down predictably through late summer and refill over winter and spring.

Why is Lake Bistineau low right now?

Reservoir levels move for four main reasons: rainfall and runoff into the basin, releases through the dam for downstream water supply, power generation or flood control, evaporation during hot months, and seasonal drawdown schedules set by the operating agency. Lake Bistineau has fallen 0.46 ft over the past 30 days. For the operational reason on any given week, check the U.S. Geological Survey directly.

How much has Lake Bistineau changed over the past year?

Lake Bistineau is -1.93 ft compared with this date last year (3.83 ft today). The full-history chart above covers 25 years, with a record high of 20.10 ft and a record low of 2.42 ft.

Download and cite

Quote this reading

Lake Bistineau's gauge read 3.83 feet on Oct 12, 2026. That is lower than 61% of October readings since 2001.

From the U.S. Geological Survey, updated daily. The sentence changes with every new reading, so quote it with its date.

Download the full record

lake-bistineau-la-water-level-history.csv

9,071 readings, Sep 30, 2001 to Oct 12, 2026. Daily readings. The longest gap since then is 28 days, from Oct 21, 2025. Columns: date, gauge_height_ft. 156 KB.

How to cite

MyWaterLevel, “Lake Bistineau water level, 2001 to 2026,” data from U.S. Geological Survey, https://mywaterlevel.com/lake/la/lake-bistineau/, accessed Oct 13, 2026.

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Source: the U.S. Geological Survey. All Louisiana lake levels. Readings are provisional and may be revised. About our data and methods.