Sam Rayburn Reservoir Water Level
Texas · Angelina River
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Water level history
About Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Sam Rayburn Reservoir is a reservoir on the Angelina River in Texas, operated by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It's the largest lake wholly within Texas. Its full summer pool sits at 164 ft above sea level. Live water levels come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (CWMS) and update hourly.
Understanding Sam Rayburn Reservoir's water level
Sam Rayburn Reservoir is the largest lake wholly within Texas, a sprawling reservoir on the Angelina River deep in the East Texas Piney Woods. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, operates it for flood control, hydropower and water supply, holding it near a conservation pool of about 164 feet above sea level and keeping room above that line to catch the region's heavy rains. As a Corps lake, it is built to rise into flood storage after big storms and then be drawn back toward conservation pool.
Because East Texas gets substantial rainfall, Sam Rayburn's level moves with the weather rather than a strict calendar. Wet spells and tropical systems can push it above conservation pool, after which the Corps releases the excess downstream, while extended droughts pull it below 164 feet as water is used for supply and power. In practice the lake spends most of its time within a few feet of conservation pool, with the bigger departures tied to floods and dry spells.
What really sets Sam Rayburn apart is the fishing. It is one of the most celebrated bass lakes in the country, ranked the number-one bass lake in the nation by Bassmaster in 2018 and host to more than 300 tournaments a year. Anglers target largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and white bass, with strong numbers of bluegill and redear sunfish as well. Its enormous shoreline supports marinas, ramps and lakeside communities, so the current level is a practical planning number for the tournament crowds and weekend boaters alike.
Sam Rayburn Reservoir — frequently asked
Why does Sam Rayburn Reservoir's water level change?
Sam Rayburn is a Corps flood-control and water-supply lake on the Angelina River. It is held near a conservation pool of about 164 feet and rises into flood storage after heavy East Texas rains, which the Corps then releases downstream, while droughts draw it below conservation pool. Weather, not a fixed seasonal schedule, drives its swings.
What is conservation pool for Sam Rayburn Reservoir?
Conservation, or normal, pool is about 164 feet above sea level. The Corps keeps additional flood-storage space above that elevation, so readings a few feet above or below 164 are part of normal operation.
Why is Sam Rayburn low during a drought?
During a drought little runoff enters the lake while water continues to be used for supply and power, so the level falls below the 164-foot conservation pool until rains return. Because it is such a large lake, sustained dry weather, not a single hot week, is what pulls it down.
Why is Sam Rayburn so famous for bass fishing?
The lake's size, structure and East Texas climate produce outstanding largemouth bass fishing. Bassmaster ranked it the number-one bass lake in the nation in 2018, and it hosts more than 300 tournaments a year.
What fish are in Sam Rayburn Reservoir?
Anglers target largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and white bass, and the lake also holds strong numbers of bluegill and redear sunfish.
What is Sam Rayburn Reservoir used for?
It provides flood control, hydropower and water supply, and as the largest lake wholly in Texas it is a premier bass-fishing and boating destination, with marinas, ramps and lakeside communities around its shoreline.
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