Texas Lake Levels Early 2023 Report

As of January 3, 2023, and according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 46.26% of the lower 48 states are in drought. This means that surface water levels are lower than usual. In the winter months, drought conditions lessen because of seasonally cooler temperatures and dormant vegetation. What does this mean for Texas lakes?

In Texas, 67% of the state is experiencing a D0 to D4 drought intensity. This means that some of our lake water levels are extremely low. In the U.S., the plains states are the most affected, and Texas is a part of the American plains. Drought has not been this widespread in over a decade in the U.S. Drought has sparked treasure hunts in affected water bodies. 

What Do the Drought Ratings Mean?

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) uses five categories of drought levels: 

• D0 abnormally dry 
• D1 drought – moderate 
• D2 drought – severe 
• D3 drought – extreme 
• D4 drought – exceptional

South central Texas and the far northern panhandle are experiencing the worst of the drought in Texas at a D4 category, along with several Texas lakes. Those lake’s water levels are unusually low. Arcing in line from the Texas panhandle to Corpus Christi, Texas lakes are between 10 to 50% full. Most lakes in the rest of Texas are 70 to over 90% full. 

Amistad Reservoir 

Amistad Reservoir is 47.1% full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Lake Arrowhead

Lake Arrowhead is 66.1 full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Cedar Creek Lake Water Level

Cedar Creek Lake is 84.6 full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Cleburne Lake Water Level

Lake Pat Cleburne is 59.2% full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Lake Corpus Christi Water Level 

Lake Corpus Christi is 74.7% full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Lake Cypress Springs Water Level

Lake Cypress Springs is 98.3% full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Eagle Mountain Lake

Eagle Mountain Lake is 81.3% full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Falcon Lake Water Level

Falcon Reservoir is 14.7% full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Lake Fork Water Level

Lake Fork Reservoir is 79.2% full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Lewisville Lake Water Level 

Lewisville Lake is 90.2% full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Livingston Lake Water Level

Livingston Reservoir is 100.0% full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Lake Meredith Water Level

Lake Meredith is 30.6% full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Possum Kingdom Lake Water Level 

Possum Kingdom is 82.1% full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Sam Rayburn Water Level

Sam Rayburn Reservoir is 82.5% full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Red Bluff Reservoir Water Level

Red Bluff Reservoir is 63.3% full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Lake Texoma Water Level

Lake Texoma is 98.5% full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Toledo Bend Water Level

Toledo Bend is 91.4% full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Lake Travis Water Level

Lake Travis is 45.7% full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Twin Buttes Reservoir Water Level

Twin Buttes Reservoir is 29.1% full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Lake Waco Water Level

Lake Waco is 56.4% full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Lake Whitney Water Level

Lake Whitney is 75.3% full as of the first week in January, 2023.

Lake Wichita Water Level

Lake Wichita is 60.4% full as of the first week in January, 2023.