Lake Mead Water Level Today: 1,038.93 ft, 26% Full | Hoover Dam
Lake Mead is 1,038.93 feet, 26% full, with 6,904,200 acre-feet stored and up 0.1 ft over 7 days. Includes Hoover Dam water level context, shortage tiers, power thresholds, and current source time.
This page tracks Lake Mead elevation, storage, percent full, recent movement,
and source information for readers checking current water conditions.
Lake Mead is currently at 1,038.93 feet,
26% full, with
6,904,200 acre-feet stored, up 0.1 feet over the last 7 days.
Latest reading: 2026-09-07.
Lake Mead reference levels
- Shortage Trigger / Tier 1: 36.07 feet below 1,075 feet.
- Tier 2 / Serious Shortage: 11.07 feet below 1,050 feet.
- Major Power-Capacity Loss: 3.93 feet above 1,035 feet.
- Minimum Power Pool: 88.93 feet above 950 feet.
- Dead Pool: 143.93 feet above 895 feet.
Lake Mead historical position
The lowest point in the available West Water Watch history is 1,038.82 feet on 2026-09-01. Today's reading is 0.11 feet above that mark.
Related Lake Mead water level checks
Lake Mead water level today
What is the Lake Mead water level today?
Lake Mead is currently at 1,038.93 feet, with 6,904,200 acre-feet stored.
How full is Lake Mead?
Lake Mead is 26% full based on the latest storage snapshot.
Is Lake Mead rising or falling?
Lake Mead is rising, up 0.1 feet over the last 7 days.
When was Lake Mead last updated?
Lake Mead's latest reading is dated 2026-09-07 from USBR RISE API.
What is the Hoover Dam water level today?
Hoover Dam water level is read from Lake Mead's water-surface elevation. The latest Lake Mead reading is 1,038.93 feet, with 6,904,200 acre-feet stored and 26% full.
How far is Lake Mead above Hoover Dam power capacity?
Lake Mead is 3.93 feet above the 1,035-foot Hoover Dam power-capacity reference line.
What shortage threshold matters for Lake Mead?
Lake Mead's key shortage trigger is 1,075 feet. Current elevation is 1,038.93 feet.
Is Lake Mead rising or falling?
Lake Mead is rising 0.1 feet over the 7-day window.
Lake Mead is falling 1.41 feet over the 30-day window.
Why Lake Mead elevation matters
Lake Mead is the Lower Basin's main storage reservoir behind Hoover Dam. Searches for Hoover Dam water level are usually asking for this same Lake Mead water-surface elevation, which is tied to shortage tiers, hydropower conditions, and the operating room available for downstream deliveries.
Start with the current elevation and percent full, then compare the buffer above the 1,075-foot shortage trigger and the 1,035-foot Hoover power-capacity reference. The 7-day and 30-day direction show whether Mead is moving toward or away from those operating lines.
What to watch at Lake Mead
- Buffer above the 1,075-foot shortage trigger
- Direction toward or away from minimum power pool
- Storage change alongside Lake Powell
Lake Mead status today
Lake Mead is the Lower Basin's main storage reservoir behind Hoover Dam. Today's status is
1,038.93 feet,
26% full, with
6,904,200 acre-feet stored.
Its elevation matters because shortage tiers, hydropower risk, and downstream operations are tied to Lake Mead's water surface level.
Key shortage trigger: 1,075 feet. Current buffer: -36.07 feet.
Current Lake Mead conditions
- Latest reading
- 2026-09-07
- Current elevation
- 1,038.93 feet
- Current storage
- 6,904,200 acre-feet
- Percent full
- 26% full
- Seven-day elevation change
- +0.1 feet
- Thirty-day storage change
- -96,900 acre-feet
- Source
- USBR RISE API
- Source updated
- 2026-09-08
- Current water level and storage snapshot
- Recent elevation trend and seven-day movement
- Percent full and source context for Lower Basin