
Lake levels
Dry Lake, ND
- gauge height
- 49.93 ft
- Condition
- Above average for this time of year
- 7-day change
- -0.06 ft
- 30-day change
- -0.28 ft
- 1-year change
- +1.27 ft
Reading as of 2026-10-12 | the U.S. Geological Survey
- Since yesterday
- -0.08 ft
- 7-day change
- -0.06 ft
- 30-day change
- -0.28 ft
- 1-year change
- +1.27 ft
- Record high
- 54.50 ft
In brief
Dry Lake's gauge read 49.93 feet on Oct 12, 2026. That is higher than 77% of October readings since 1983.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Gauge height above a local reference point; not elevation above sea level.
Lake level timeline
Records and averages
| Current level | 49.93 ft |
|---|---|
| Record high | 54.50 ft (2011-05-01) |
| Record low | 41.80 ft (1991-09-14) |
| Average of all readings | 48.60 ft |
| Data span | 43 years (12,360 readings) |
Level schematic
Frequently asked questions
Is Dry Lake full right now?
As of 2026-10-12, Dry Lake sits at 49.93 ft, which is above average for this time of year. Over the past 30 days the level has fallen 0.28 ft.
What is the water level at Dry Lake today?
The most recent reading at Dry Lake is 49.93 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 Dry Lake has ever been?
The highest level for Dry Lake in our records is 54.50 ft on 2011-05-01. The lowest is 41.80 ft on 1991-09-14. Our record covers about 43 years of readings.
Is Dry Lake low for this time of year?
Compared with every October in our records, the current level is higher than 77% of them, which we classify as above 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 Dry 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. Dry Lake has fallen 0.28 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?
Dry Lake is +1.27 ft compared with this date last year (49.93 ft today). The full-history chart above covers 43 years, with a record high of 54.50 ft and a record low of 41.80 ft.
Download and cite
Quote this reading
Dry Lake's gauge read 49.93 feet on Oct 12, 2026. That is higher than 77% of October readings since 1983.
Download the full record
dry-lake-nd-water-level-history.csv
How to cite
MyWaterLevel, “Dry Lake water level, 1983 to 2026,” data from U.S. Geological Survey, https://mywaterlevel.com/lake/nd/dry-lake/, accessed Oct 13, 2026.
Source: the U.S. Geological Survey. All North Dakota lake levels. Readings are provisional and may be revised. About our data and methods.