Dry Lake Water Level
North Dakota · updated daily from the U.S. Geological Survey
50.22 ft
Dry Lake is high for this time of year and falling (-0.16 ft in the last 7 days).
Change since yesterday: -0.01 ft
Reading as of 2026-08-14 · higher than 81% of August readings on record
Where Dry Lake sits historically
Today's level compared with every reading in our 5.0-year record for this lake.
Since yesterday
-0.01 ft
7-day change
-0.16 ft
30-day change
-0.73 ft
1-year change
+1.39 ft
Last 30 days
Last 12 months
Full history (5.0 years)
Dry Lake records and averages
| Current level | 50.22 ft |
|---|---|
| Record high | 51.87 ft (2022-05-12) |
| Record low | 46.94 ft (2021-11-13) |
| Average of all readings | 49.27 ft |
| Data span | 5.0 years (1,799 readings) |
Frequently asked questions
Is Dry Lake full right now?
As of 2026-08-14, Dry Lake sits at 50.22 ft, which is high for this time of year.Over the past 30 days the level has fallen 0.73 ft.
What is the water level at Dry Lake today?
The most recent reading is 50.22 ft (2026-08-14), sourced from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings on this page refresh automatically as the agency publishes new data.
What is the highest Dry Lake has ever been?
The highest level in our records is 51.87 ft on 2022-05-12. The lowest is 46.94 ft on 2021-11-13. Our record covers about 5.0 years of readings.
Is Dry Lake low for this time of year?
Compared with every August in our records, the current level is higher than 81% of them — high 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 Dry Lake 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. Dry Lake has fallen 0.73 ft over the past 30 days. For the operational reason on any given week, check the U.S. Geological Survey directly.
How much has Dry Lake changed over the past year?
The level is +1.39 ft compared with this date last year (50.22 ft today). The full-history chart above covers 5.0 years, with a record high of 51.87 ft and a record low of 46.94 ft.
Nearby lakes in North Dakota
Source: the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional and subject to revision by the publishing agency. All North Dakota lake levels.