Outlook
Middle estimate, with the range the level has an 8 in 10 chance of landing in. The bars share one scale: change from today.
Rises are harder to call. Heavy rain in the watershed can push the lake above these ranges within days.
- Rain, past 7 days
- 0.0 in0 mm watershed average
- Rain forecast, next 7 days
- 0.5 in13 mm normal 1.1 in27 mm
Statistical estimate, not safety, boating, or water-quality advice. For ramps, closures and advisories, check the lake operator.
Map
Map of Lake Fork Reservoir with the dam, level gauge and 28 public boat ramps.
- Dam
- Level gauge
- Public boat ramp
Ramp locations from Texas Parks and Wildlife. Whether a ramp is open depends on the lake level; check the operator.
Level and outlook
FeetMeters above sea level
- Measured
- Middle estimate
- 8 in 10 range
- Full pool
Show outlook as a table
| Date | Low end | Middle | High end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2 | 397.8121.25 | 397.9121.28 | 398.0121.30 |
| Nov 9 | 397.7121.22 | 397.8121.25 | 398.1121.33 |
| Nov 25 | 397.4121.12 | 397.6121.19 | 398.1121.34 |
How well this outlook has done here
We tested the 2-week outlook on past years at this lake, as if made once a week with only what was known that day.
- On average it was off by
- 0.24 ft0.07 m Assuming the level stays the same was off by 0.33 ft0.10 m
- Actual level inside our range
- 71% of 432 tests; the range is built to catch 8 in 10
The rise chance uses the same threshold for every lake: 1 ft (0.3048 m).
Connected lakes
Water from upstream lakes flows into this one; water released here flows on downstream.
Nearby lakes
Closest lakes in a straight line, with today's level.
- Lake Tawakoni23 mi37 km away · 434.9 ft132.55 m · 89%
- Lake Sulphur Springs25 mi41 km away · 457.3 ft139.37 m · 83%
- Lake Cypress Springs28 mi44 km away · 375.4 ft114.43 m · 88%
- Monticello Reservoir34 mi54 km away · 334.5 ft101.94 m · 72%
- Lake Bob Sandlin36 mi57 km away · 334.6 ft101.99 m · 87%
- Jim Chapman Lake36 mi59 km away · 434.3 ft132.38 m · 64%
About Lake Fork Reservoir
Lake Fork Reservoir is on Lake Fork Creek in Wood, Rains and Hopkins counties, between Quitman, Alba, Emory and Yantis. The Sabine River Authority completed the dam in 1980, and the lake first reached normal pool in 1985. It is a water supply for the Dallas area and is best known for trophy largemouth bass.
- Full pool (conservation)
- 403.0 ft122.83 m
- Highest level since 1988
- 405.1 ft123.49 m, Dec 2015
- Lowest level since 1988
- 395.3 ft120.48 m, Dec 2011
- Surface area at normal pool
- 27,690 acres11,206 ha
- Conservation storage
- 606,088 acre-feet748 million m³
- Dam
- Lake Fork Dam, 1980
- River or creek
- Lake Fork Creek
- County
- Wood
- Owner
- Sabine River Authority of Texas
Elevations are feetmeters above sea level (NGVD29).
Common questions
Is Lake Fork Reservoir full right now?
On Oct 26 it was 398.0 ft, 5.0 ft below full pool (403.0 ft), holding 80% of its conservation storage.On Oct 26 it was 121.31 m, 1.52 m below full pool (122.83 m), holding 80% of its conservation storage.
Is Lake Fork Reservoir going up or down?
The middle estimate for Nov 9 is down about 0.2 ft, with an 8 in 10 chance it ends between 397.7 ft and 398.1 ft. The chance it ends 1 ft or more higher than today is under 5%. Heavy rain can change that quickly.The middle estimate for Nov 9 is down about 0.06 m, with an 8 in 10 chance it ends between 121.22 m and 121.33 m. The chance it ends 0.3 m or more higher than today is under 5%. Heavy rain can change that quickly.
Where does this data come from?
Daily levels come from the Texas Water Development Board and lake operators. The outlook is our own statistical model, using recent levels and forecast rain over the watershed.