Elephant Butte Lake Water Level
New Mexico · updated daily from the Texas Water Development Board
1.4% full
Elephant Butte Lake is very low at 4275.33 ft and steady (+0.06 ft in the last 7 days).
130.26 ft below full pool of 4405.59 ft · change since yesterday +0.00 ft
Reading as of 2026-08-15 · higher than 2% of August readings on record
Where Elephant Butte Lake sits historically
Today's level compared with every reading in our 111.4-year record for this lake.
Since yesterday
+0.00 ft
7-day change
+0.06 ft
30-day change
-6.56 ft
1-year change
-15.88 ft
Full pool
4405.6 ft
Last 30 days
Last 12 months
Full history (111.4 years)
Elephant Butte Lake records and averages
| Current level | 4275.33 ft |
|---|---|
| Percent full | 1.4% |
| Storage | 27,187 acre-feet |
| Record high | 4409.19 ft (1942-06-16) |
| Record low | 4258.03 ft (1954-08-06) |
| Average of all readings | 4345.71 ft |
| Data span | 111.4 years (40,577 readings) |
Frequently asked questions
Is Elephant Butte Lake full right now?
Elephant Butte Lake is at 1.4% of conservation capacity as of 2026-08-15, which we classify as very low.Over the past 30 days the level has fallen 6.56 ft.
What is the water level at Elephant Butte Lake today?
The most recent reading is 4275.33 ft (2026-08-15), sourced from the Texas Water Development Board. Readings on this page refresh automatically as the agency publishes new data.
What is the highest Elephant Butte Lake has ever been?
The highest level in our records is 4409.19 ft on 1942-06-16. The lowest is 4258.03 ft on 1954-08-06. Our record covers about 111.4 years of readings.
Is Elephant Butte Lake low for this time of year?
Compared with every August in our records, the current level is higher than 2% of them — very low. 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 Elephant Butte Lake changing 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. Elephant Butte Lake has fallen 6.56 ft over the past 30 days. For the operational reason on any given week, check the Texas Water Development Board directly.
How much has Elephant Butte Lake changed over the past year?
The level is -15.88 ft compared with this date last year (4275.33 ft today). The full-history chart above covers 111.4 years, with a record high of 4409.19 ft and a record low of 4258.03 ft.
Nearby lakes in New Mexico
Source: the Texas Water Development Board. Readings are provisional and subject to revision by the publishing agency. All New Mexico lake levels.