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.

Next week · by Nov 242.1 ft12.84 m0.0 ft−0.01 m from todayLikely 42.012.79 to 42.3 ft12.91 mChance of ending 1 ft0.3 m or more higher: under 5%

In 2 weeks · by Nov 942.1 ft12.85 m0.0 ft0.00 m from todayLikely 41.912.77 to 42.5 ft12.97 mChance of ending 1 ft0.3 m or more higher: under 5%

In a month · by Nov 2542.1 ft12.82 m−0.1 ft−0.02 m from todayLikely 41.712.71 to 43.0 ft13.10 mChance of ending 1 ft0.3 m or more higher: 5%

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 in12 mm normal 1.2 in30 mm

Statistical estimate, not safety, boating, or water-quality advice. For ramps, closures and advisories, check the lake operator.

Map

Map of Lake Houston with the dam and 7 public boat ramps.

Dam
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	42.012.79	42.112.84	42.312.91
Nov 9	41.912.77	42.112.85	42.512.97
Nov 25	41.712.71	42.112.82	43.013.10

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: 0.34 ft0.10 m Assuming the level stays the same was off by 0.37 ft0.11 m
Actual level inside our range: 81% 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.

Upstream

Lake Conroe199.4 ft60.78 m · 93%

Nearby lakes

Closest lakes in a straight line, with today's level.

About Lake Houston

Lake Houston is a reservoir on the San Jacinto River about 15–18 miles northeast of downtown Houston, completed in 1954. It is a primary drinking-water supply for the City of Houston, which owns the dam. Lake Conroe is upstream on the West Fork of the San Jacinto.

More: Wikipedia · Texas Water Development Board

Full pool (conservation): 42.4 ft12.92 m
Highest level since 1996: 52.3 ft15.93 m, Aug 2017
Lowest level since 1996: 36.3 ft11.08 m, Sep 2011
Surface area at normal pool: 12,240 acres4,953 ha
Conservation storage: 132,318 acre-feet163 million m³
Dam: Lake Houston Dam, 1954
River or creek: San Jacinto River
County: Harris
Owner: City of Houston

Elevations are feetmeters above sea level (NAVD88).

Common questions

Is Lake Houston full right now?

On Oct 26 it was 42.1 ft, 0.2 ft below full pool (42.4 ft), holding 98% of its conservation storage.On Oct 26 it was 12.85 m, 0.07 m below full pool (12.92 m), holding 98% of its conservation storage.

Is Lake Houston going up or down?

The middle estimate for Nov 9 is about steady, with an 8 in 10 chance it ends between 41.9 ft and 42.5 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 about steady, with an 8 in 10 chance it ends between 12.77 m and 12.97 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.