
Lake levels
Ross Barnett Reservoir, MS
- water level
- 296.49 ft
- Condition
- Below average for this time of year
- 7-day change
- -0.24 ft
- 30-day change
- -0.61 ft
- 1-year change
- -0.59 ft
Reading as of 2026-10-12 | the U.S. Geological Survey
- Since yesterday
- -0.01 ft
- 7-day change
- -0.24 ft
- 30-day change
- -0.61 ft
- 1-year change
- -0.59 ft
- Record high
- 298.55 ft
In brief
Ross Barnett Reservoir stood at 296.49 feet on Oct 12, 2026. That is lower than 69% of October readings since 1998.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Lake level timeline
Records and averages
| Current level | 296.49 ft |
|---|---|
| Record high | 298.55 ft (2022-08-28) |
| Record low | 292.70 ft (2000-11-06) |
| Average of all readings | 296.84 ft |
| Data span | 27 years (8,985 readings) |
Level schematic
Frequently asked questions
Is Ross Barnett Reservoir full right now?
As of 2026-10-12, Ross Barnett Reservoir sits at 296.49 ft, which is below average for this time of year. Over the past 30 days the level has fallen 0.61 ft.
What is the water level at Ross Barnett Reservoir today?
The most recent reading at Ross Barnett Reservoir is 296.49 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 Ross Barnett Reservoir has ever been?
The highest level for Ross Barnett Reservoir in our records is 298.55 ft on 2022-08-28. The lowest is 292.70 ft on 2000-11-06. Our record covers about 27 years of readings.
Is Ross Barnett Reservoir low for this time of year?
Compared with every October in our records, the current level is higher than 31% 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 Ross Barnett Reservoir 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. Ross Barnett Reservoir has fallen 0.61 ft over the past 30 days. For the operational reason on any given week, check the U.S. Geological Survey directly.
How much has Ross Barnett Reservoir changed over the past year?
Ross Barnett Reservoir is -0.59 ft compared with this date last year (296.49 ft today). The full-history chart above covers 27 years, with a record high of 298.55 ft and a record low of 292.70 ft.
Download and cite
Quote this reading
Ross Barnett Reservoir stood at 296.49 feet on Oct 12, 2026. That is lower than 69% of October readings since 1998.
Download the full record
ross-barnett-reservoir-ms-water-level-history.csv
How to cite
MyWaterLevel, “Ross Barnett Reservoir water level, 1998 to 2026,” data from U.S. Geological Survey, https://mywaterlevel.com/lake/ms/ross-barnett-reservoir/, accessed Oct 13, 2026.
Source: the U.S. Geological Survey. All Mississippi lake levels. Readings are provisional and may be revised. About our data and methods.