Watts Bar Lake elevation right now
As of , Watts Bar Reservoir elevation is 738.94 ft above mean sea level (1.56 ft below summer-pool target). Source: TVA's published reservoir-level feed for Watts Bar Dam (WBOT1).
What the value means
Watts Bar Reservoir runs on a published TVA operating curve: rise to summer pool by Memorial Day, hold roughly 740–741 ft through Labor Day, then drawdown to roughly 735 ft for winter flood storage. Day-to-day deviation from the curve is normal as TVA balances generation, downstream flow, and rainfall. The number above is the most recent observation; the operating-guide curve and predicted level are also in the live JSON.
The lake elevation matters most for ramps, marinas, and shallow coves. Several ramps go unusable below ~736 ft. Caney Creek sees off-channel depth changes during drawdown that don't affect main-channel marinas like Spring City Resort.
Frequently asked
What is the current lake level at Watts Bar?
Live elevation as of just now is — ft above mean sea level. Summer pool is 740–741 ft; winter minimum is roughly 735 ft.
What is summer pool on Watts Bar?
740–741 ft above mean sea level. TVA fills the reservoir to summer pool by Memorial Day and holds it through Labor Day, then begins drawdown November 1.
What is winter pool on Watts Bar?
Roughly 735 ft above mean sea level. The 5–6 ft drawdown reserves flood storage capacity for winter and early spring rains.
Why is Watts Bar Lake low right now?
The most common reason is normal seasonal drawdown. TVA begins lowering the reservoir from summer pool on November 1 and holds it near 735 ft through winter. Beyond season, the level can stay below the operating-curve target after a dry winter, or it can sit above target after heavy rain when TVA is releasing storage. The published TVA operating guide shows the day-by-day target curve.
When does TVA refill the reservoir for summer?
The fill curve runs March through May. TVA targets full summer pool (740–741 ft) by Memorial Day in a normal year, with a buffer in case of late-spring storms. Heavy rain in March or April speeds the fill; a dry spring delays it.
What ramps stay open during winter drawdown?
The main public ramps (Tom Fuller, TVA Lakeshore Park, Watts Bar Dam Reservation) keep enough water to launch year-round. Caney Creek sees the most off-channel depth change and gets dicey for larger boats below about 736 ft. The boat ramps page has the full list with surface and lane details.
What does "operating zone" mean on TVA's chart?
It is the band TVA tries to keep the reservoir inside on any given day, with an upper bound (flood-storage ceiling) and a lower bound (the planned drawdown floor). Reservoir level usually tracks the middle of the band. Excursions above or below typically reflect heavy rain or unusual generation patterns.
Want everything else live? View the full lake dashboard at watts.bar, or skip to the right-now narrative at /today/.