Highest elevation lakes & reservoirs in Nebraska by altitude
While lake levels can flucuate frequently based on several circumstances, the altitude/elevation of a lake is based on its normal water level, measured by the lake’s surface distance above sea level. For a reservoir, this water level is also known as “full pond” or “full pool”.Low lake levels can occur due to deliberate seasonal draw downs for irrigation or impending snow melt, reduced water inflows, drought and evaporation, residential or commercial water demands, and hydropower generation. Some lakes’ minimum and maximum elevations are virtually the same. Lakes that generate hydropower may vary by several feet – according to power demand. Lakes whose primary purpose is to prevent flooding can seasonally vary by 100 feet or more. When some lakes reach their minimum elevation, their boat ramps may not be long enough to permit boat access – and boats docked on shallow parts of the lake may end up on dry ground. In those cases, kayakers and shore-based anglers may be among the few happy recreational users of the lake.
A lake’s highest water level, measured by the lake’s surface distance above sea level, that can occur during flooding. A lake’s highest possible maximum elevation is usually the top of the lake’s dam or spillway. At lakes that include residential development, government regulations usually forbid the construction of homes below a lake’s maximum elevation.
You can find many of the world’s highest-elevated lakes on LakeLubbers. Lakes with the lowest elevations (known by LakeLubbers) are shown on the final page of that list. Note: For some lakes, "Altitude/Elevation" data is unknown, so this table may display fewer lakes than the total 13 articles we have published for Nebraska lakes.
Thinking about booking a Nebraska lake vacation home rental, cabin or hotel?
Use our free interactive vacation rental map to search and compare multiple vacation properties at a glance. Enter a lake name, a state or city and then simply click on a listing to compare all similar properties, best rates and availability for your dates.Search results: Sort lakes by elevation
Below are lakes within USA > US Midwest Region > Nebraska > Compared by highest altitude/elevation in feet. This list does not represent all lakes in Nebraska, only the 13 Nebraska lake articles we have published on the LakeLubbers website.
Lake name  |
Elevation in feet |
Lake description |
|---|---|---|
| Lake McConaughy, NE (Nebraska, Prairie Lakes Region, NE, US Midwest Region, USA) |
3,270 ft | Also known as Big Mac Lake McConaughy, commonly called Big Mac, is Nebraska’s largest reservoir with 30,500 acres and 76 shoreline miles. Lake McConaughy is conveniently lo … |
| Merritt Reservoir, NE (Nebraska, Sandhills Region, NE, US Midwest Region, USA) |
2,956 ft | Deep in the heart of the Midwest, in the Sandhills region of Nebraska, lies the 2,906-acre Merritt Reservoir. This secluded lake is a paradise for tho … |
| Calamus Reservoir, NE (Nebraska, Sandhills Region, NE, US Midwest Region, USA) |
2,253 ft | Located in central Nebraska, the Calamus Reservoir is a wonderful place to relax, appreciate the beauty of nature, and enjoy some fun on the water. Th … |
| Sherman Reservoir (Nebraska, Sandhills Region, NE, US Midwest Region, USA) |
2,162 ft | Also known as Sherman Lake Sherman Reservoir adds great recreation value to the Sandhills region of Nebraska in addition to precious irrigation water for thousands of farm acres … |
| Harlan County Lake, NE (Frontier Trails Region, NE, Nebraska, US Midwest Region, USA) |
1,974 ft | Harlan County Lake covers an impressive 13,250 acres in south-central Nebraska’s Frontier Trails region. Just seven miles from the Nebraska / Kansas s … |
| Branched Oak Lake, NE (Metro Region, NE, Nebraska, US Midwest Region, USA) |
1,311 ft | Also known as Dam Site #18 Branched Oak Lake, part of the Branched Oak State Recreation Area, is conveniently located northwest of Lincoln, Nebraska’s state capital. Branched Oa … |
| Lewis and Clark Lake, NE/SD (Lewis and Clark Region, NE, Nebraska, South Dakota, Southeast Region, SD, US Midwest Region, USA) |
1,210 ft | Stretching 25 miles long and straddling the Nebraska and South Dakota border, 28,000-acre Lewis and Clark Lake is the smallest of the Missouri River r … |