Lake Oconee Water Level
Georgia · Oconee River
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Water level history
About Lake Oconee
Lake Oconee is a reservoir on the Oconee River in Georgia, operated by Georgia Power. Its full summer pool sits at 435 ft above sea level. Live water levels come from the NOAA National Water Prediction Service gauge at the dam and update hourly.
Understanding Lake Oconee's water level
"Full pool" is the elevation Georgia Power targets when Lake Oconee is completely filled — 435 feet above sea level. Lake Oconee is a generation pool: Georgia Power runs it to a licensed operating band around 435 ft rather than keeping deep flood storage above it. That means the level answers to the day's generation schedule and to how much water is coming down the river, so it can move noticeably between morning and evening and still be exactly where it is supposed to be.
Lake Oconee is normally held near its summer pool from spring through the recreation season, then let down over winter to the utility's cold-weather elevation so there is room for high water. Within any given week the bigger mover is generation: releases through the powerhouse pull the pool down and inflow brings it back, which is why a foot of daily swing here is routine rather than a warning sign.
The recent high and low above are drawn from the published history available for Lake Oconee, so they show how today compares over that record rather than an all-time extreme. The 12-month and 5-year chart views make the trend and the lake's usual seasonal shape easy to see.
Lake Oconee — frequently asked
What is the current water level of Lake Oconee?
The gauge at the top of this page shows Lake Oconee's current elevation in feet above sea level, updated from NOAA's National Water Prediction Service gauge WDMG1.
What is full pool for Lake Oconee?
Lake Oconee's full summer pool is 435 feet above sea level. Levels are typically drawn down below that in winter for flood storage.
Who manages Lake Oconee?
Lake Oconee is operated by Georgia Power on the Oconee River.
Where is Lake Oconee located?
Lake Oconee is in Georgia, on the Oconee River.
Why is Lake Oconee low right now?
Reservoir levels fall during dry spells and seasonal drawdown — when Georgia Power lowers the pool for flood storage, power, or water supply — and recover after rain and snowmelt. The history chart above shows the recent trend.
Other lakes near Lake Oconee
- Richard B. Russell LakeGA/SC
- Lake NottelyGA
- Lake SeminoleGA/FL
- Lake LanierGA
- Lake SinclairGA
- J. Strom Thurmond Lake (Clarks Hill)GA/SC
See current levels for all 16 Georgia lakes and reservoirs →
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