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 Tawakoni with the dam, level gauge and 23 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 | 434.7132.49 | 434.7132.51 | 434.9132.54 |
| Nov 9 | 434.5132.44 | 434.7132.49 | 434.9132.56 |
| Nov 25 | 434.3132.36 | 434.4132.41 | 435.5132.73 |
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
- 0.29 ft0.09 m Assuming the level stays the same was off by 0.41 ft0.12 m
- Actual level inside our range
- 81% of 432 tests; the range is built to catch 8 in 10
- When we said a rise was possible (20–40%)
- 26% of those 23 times it ended 1 ft0.3 m or more higher
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.
- New Terrell City Lake16 mi25 km away · 493.3 ft150.35 m · 24%
- Lake Fork Reservoir23 mi37 km away · 398.0 ft121.31 m · 80%
- Lake Sulphur Springs30 mi48 km away · 457.3 ft139.37 m · 83%
- Lake Ray Hubbard33 mi54 km away · 431.8 ft131.62 m · 83%
- Lavon Lake36 mi58 km away · 487.6 ft148.61 m · 79%
- Jim Chapman Lake40 mi64 km away · 434.3 ft132.38 m · 64%
About Lake Tawakoni
Lake Tawakoni is a large reservoir on the Sabine River about 48 miles east of Dallas, spanning Hunt, Rains and Van Zandt counties. The Sabine River Authority completed Iron Bridge Dam in 1960, and the lake is used for water supply and recreation. It is the highest major lake on the Sabine, far upstream of Toledo Bend.
- Full pool (conservation)
- 437.5 ft133.35 m
- Highest level since 1995
- 441.6 ft134.59 m, Nov 2015
- Lowest level since 1995
- 424.9 ft129.52 m, Dec 2006
- Surface area at normal pool
- 37,879 acres15,329 ha
- Conservation storage
- 871,685 acre-feet1,075 million m³
- Dam
- Iron Bridge Dam, 1960
- River or creek
- Sabine River
- County
- Van Zandt
- Owner
- Sabine River Authority of Texas
Elevations are feetmeters above sea level (NGVD29).
Common questions
Is Lake Tawakoni full right now?
On Oct 26 it was 434.9 ft, 2.6 ft below full pool (437.5 ft), holding 89% of its conservation storage.On Oct 26 it was 132.55 m, 0.80 m below full pool (133.35 m), holding 89% of its conservation storage.
Is Lake Tawakoni 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 434.5 ft and 434.9 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 132.44 m and 132.56 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.