Lake Mead water level
▼ 4.8 points from 29% a year ago
Source: data.usbr.gov/rise/api/catalog-item/6123, accessed October 1, 2026. Updated every 6 hours.
Fishing at Lake Mead: Lake Mead on Fishypedia .
Lake Mead is at 24.2% of full pool (1037.87 ft) as of September 28, 2026. Full pool elevation is 1229 ft. Lake Mead was last full on July 26, 1983 (95% of normal storage). Lake Mead is near Boulder City, Nevada. It has restrooms, drinking water, picnic area, dump station, boat launch, and marina, managed by National Park Service. Check current swimming advisories at Lake Mead alerts and conditions (National Park Service) before you go.
Lake Mead level history
This site counts a reservoir as full on a day its storage is at or above 95% of the dam's normal storage (National Inventory of Dams). Many reservoirs rarely reach 100%, even in wet years, because operators release water for irrigation, power or flood control before they fill, so this site treats 95% as full. Highs and lows are daily readings in the published data, not official records. Source: Bureau of Reclamation daily data.
Storage, % of full pool, since 1937
Lake Mead has held roughly steady since the previous reading (September 27, 2026).
On this same date last year (September 28, 2025), Lake Mead was 29% full, 4.8 percentage points higher than today's 24.2%.
Weekly averages of the source's daily readings; older years may be monthly or sparser where that is all the source published. Download the charted data (JSON).
Lake Mead map
Lake Mead is at 36.0161, -114.7378. Open in OpenStreetMap.
The dam
- Hydropower
- Irrigation
- Water supply
Sources: nid.sec.usace.army.mil, accessed September 24, 2026
Visiting Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Restrooms
- Drinking water
- Picnic area
- Dump station
- Boat launch
- Marina
Over 900 camping and RV sites at 15 different locations; campgrounds offer restrooms, running water, dump stations, grills, picnic tables, and shade. National Park Service campsites have no hookups: full electric, water, and sewage hookups are provided by park concessioners at Lake Mead RV Village, Callville Bay, Echo Bay, Temple Bar, Willow Beach, Cottonwood Cove, and Katherine Landing.
Good to know:
- Six main entrances to Lake Mead: Northshore, Lake Mead Boulevard, Lake Mead Parkway, Boulder, Temple Bar, and Meadview. For the southern sections near Lake Mohave, entrance stations at Willow Beach, Katherine Landing, and Cottonwood Cove.
- Cashless fee collection (card only) since January 2024; children under 16 enter free; Senior and Access Pass holders get 50% off lake-use and camping fees.
- Six strenuous trails close annually from May 15 to September 30 for heat safety: Goldstrike Canyon, White Rock Canyon, Arizona Hot Springs, Liberty Arch, Lone Palm, and Sugar Loaf. The River Mountain Loop and Historic Railroad trails stay open.
Sources (7) ▾
nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/fees.htm, accessed September 25, 2026 , nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm, accessed September 25, 2026 , nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/hours.htm, accessed September 25, 2026 , nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm, accessed September 25, 2026 , nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/changing-lake-levels.htm, accessed September 25, 2026 , nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm, accessed September 25, 2026 , nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/conditions.htm, accessed September 25, 2026
Swimming
Designated swim area: Boulder Beach, Special Events Beach, Canoe/Kayak Beach, and Personal Watercraft (PWC) Beach.
Water-quality and swimming advisories change without notice. Always check Lake Mead alerts and conditions (National Park Service) before you go.
Sources: nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/swimming-beaches.htm, accessed September 25, 2026 , nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/conditions.htm, accessed September 25, 2026
On the water
This reservoir's page on Fishypedia: Lake Mead fishing information.
Photos
Common questions
- Lake Mead is at 24.2% of full pool (1037.87 ft) as of September 28, 2026. Full pool elevation is 1229 ft.
- Lake Mead was last full on July 26, 1983, when it held 95% of its normal storage (elevation 1,225.63 ft). This site counts a reservoir as full on a day its storage is at or above 95% of the dam's normal storage (National Inventory of Dams). Many reservoirs rarely reach 100%, even in wet years, because operators release water for irrigation, power or flood control before they fill, so this site treats 95% as full. Based on Bureau of Reclamation daily data since May 28, 1937.
- In Bureau of Reclamation daily data since February 2, 1935, Lake Mead's highest elevation was 1,225.83 ft on July 24, 1983. Its lowest after it first filled (June 28, 1941) was 1,037.79 ft on September 27, 2026. These are the highest and lowest daily readings in the published data, not official records.
- Lake Mead is near Boulder City, Nevada (36.0161, -114.7378).
- Bureau of Reclamation operates the dam at Lake Mead.
- Lake Mead's dam is used for Hydropower, Irrigation, Water supply.
- The park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Lake Mead Visitor Center is open daily, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fees: Entrance (private vehicle) $25, Entrance (motorcycle) $20, Entrance (per person, walk-in or bike) $15, Annual park pass (Lake Mead only) $45, Annual vessel sticker $50, Vessel pass (1-7 days) $16.
- Lake Mead Visitor Center, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
- Lake Mead has designated swimming at: Boulder Beach, Special Events Beach, Canoe/Kayak Beach, and Personal Watercraft (PWC) Beach. Check current advisories at Lake Mead alerts and conditions (National Park Service) before you go.