Highest elevation lakes & reservoirs in US Southwest Region 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 149 articles we have published for US Southwest Region lakes.
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Below are lakes within USA > US Southwest Region > Compared by highest altitude/elevation in feet. This list does not represent all lakes in US Southwest Region, only the 149 US Southwest Region lake articles we have published on the LakeLubbers website.
Lake name | Elevation in feet | Lake description |
---|---|---|
Apache Lake, AZ (Arizona, North Central Arizona, US Southwest Region, USA) |
1,920 ft | Surrounded by the stark and rugged beauty of Central Arizona’s Superstition Wilderness in the Tonto National Forest, Apache Lake is the perfect destin … |
Lake Nasworthy, TX (Hill Country Region, TX, Panhandle Plains Region, TX, Texas, US Southwest Region, USA) |
1,872 ft | In the heart of Texas, Lake Nasworthy is a cool place in the heat of summer. This lake provides a welcome spot of relief, beckoning visitors to submer … |
Lake Pleasant, AZ (Arizona, North Central Arizona, US Southwest Region, USA) |
1,725 ft | Also known as New Lake Pleasant One of the finest water recreation areas in Arizona, Lake Pleasant is true to its name – a pleasant oasis in a desert setting. Lake Pleasant’s 9,200 s … |
Canton Lake, OK (Oklahoma, Red Carpet Country, OK, US Southwest Region, USA) |
1,626 ft | Canton Lake is an expansive body of water in northwestern Oklahoma’s Red Carpet Country (named for its red soil). The United States Army Corps of Engi … |
Lake Altus-Lugert, OK (Great Plains Country, OK, Oklahoma, US Southwest Region, USA) |
1,562 ft | Also known as Lugert-Altus Reservoir Lake Altus-Lugert is a 6,260-acre reservoir nestled in the Great Plains region of Southwest Oklahoma. The lake is located 17 miles north of the town o … |
Saguaro Lake, AZ (Arizona, North Central Arizona, US Southwest Region, USA) |
1,533 ft | Also known as Saguaro Reservoir Saguaro Lake is located in the Tonto National Forest within Maricopa County, about 40 miles east of Phoenix. It is a true desert oasis for Valley resi … |
Tom Steed Lake, OK (Great Plains Country, OK, Oklahoma, US Southwest Region, USA) |
1,423 ft | Also known as Tom Steed Reservoir Tom Steed Lake lies on West Otter Creek, nestled in the heart of the Great Plains Country, north of the Oklahoma-Texas border. Boasting 31 miles of sh … |
Alamo Lake, AZ (Arizona, US Southwest Region, USA, West Coast Region, AZ) |
1,233 ft | Alamo Lake is an outdoor person’s wonderland with great fishing, a unique Sonoran desert landscape and a plethora of desert animals. Wildlife viewing … |
Lake Mead, AZ/NV (Arizona, Las Vegas Territory, NV, Nevada, US Southwest Region, US West Region, USA, West Coast Region, AZ) |
1,229 ft | Lake Mead is the USA’s largest man-made reservoir in amount of water it can hold. Although Lake Powell is marginally larger in acreage at full-pond, L … |
Lake Stanley Draper, OK (Frontier Country, OK, Oklahoma, US Southwest Region, USA) |
1,191 ft | Also known as Lake Draper Lake Stanley Draper is a big city lake in the big city! Formed in 1963 to provide a water source for Oklahoma City, Lake Draper has also proved to be … |
Lake Amistad, TX / Mexico (Hill Country Region, TX, Mexico, North Mexico, Texas, US Southwest Region, USA) |
1,144 ft | Also known as International Amistad Reservoir The Spanish word “Amistad” translates to “Friendship” in English … little wonder, then, that west Texas’ Lake Amistad is one of the Lone Star State’ … |
Great Salt Plains Lake, OK (Oklahoma, Red Carpet Country, OK, US Southwest Region, USA) |
1,139 ft | With over 8,600 acres of water and 41 miles of shoreline, Great Salt Plains Lake in northern Oklahoma’s Red Carpet Country is an outdoor enthusiast’s … |