Highest elevation lakes & reservoirs in 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 2151 articles we have published for lakes.
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Below are lakes within Compared by highest altitude/elevation in feet. This list does not represent all lakes in , only the 2151 lake articles we have published on the LakeLubbers website.
Lake name  |
Elevation in feet |
Lake description |
|---|---|---|
| Whatcom Lake, WA (Northwest Washington & Islands, WA, US West Region, USA, Washington) |
315 ft | Also known as Lake Whatcom Whatcom Lake is a 5,000-acre natural lake surrounded by mountainous terrain located in Whatcom County, Washington. Whatcom is from a Nooksack Indian w … |
| Lough Lene (East Coast & Midlands Region, Ireland, Ireland) |
314 ft | Also known as Lough Lane, Lough Lein, Lough Leibinn Ireland’s Lough Lene is a natural freshwater glacial lake in northern Westmeath, an inland county in the province of Leinster. This lake has an irregu … |
| Falcon Lake, TX / Mexico (Mexico, North Mexico, South Texas Plains Region, TX, Texas, US Southwest Region, USA) |
314 ft | Also known as Falcon International Reservoir WARNING – Fall 2010: Texas officials warn Americans visiting and boating on Falcon Lake to stay within USA waters and avoid the international boundary … |
| Beaverfork Lake, AR (Arkansas, Central Arkansas, US South Region, USA) |
301 ft | Also known as Beaver Fork Lake, Lake Beaverfork Beaverfork Lake is at the gateway of the Ozarks in the Central tourism region of Arkansas. It is a great place to catch a breeze and windsurf or throw … |
| Ross Barnett Reservoir (Capital-River Region, MS, Mississippi, US South Region, USA) |
298 ft | Also known as The Rez Ross Barnett Reservoir, known locally as The Rez, has found its way into the hearts of the Capital River region of Mississippi. The 33,000-acre reserv … |
| Sardis Lake, MS (Hills Region, MS, Mississippi, US South Region, USA) |
286 ft | Sardis Lake is a popular visitor destination with over 5 million people flocking to the water each year. Located in the counties of Panola, Lafayette … |
| Lake Manassas, VA (Northern Virginia Region, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
285 ft | Lake Manassas is nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of Prince William County in Northern Virginia. Created in 1969 by the impoundment of Broad Run … |
| Lake Nacogdoches (Piney Woods Region, TX, Texas, US Southwest Region, USA) |
279 ft | Also known as Nacogdoches Lake, Lake Nac, Nacogdoches Reservoir Lake Nacogdoches, located in the Piney Woods region of Texas, is known for excellent fishing, wildlife viewing, boating, and all types of water sports … |
| Loch Shin (Highlands & Moray Region, Scotland, Scotland, United Kingdom, United Kingdom) |
276 ft | Loch Shin is a long and narrow glacial lake located in County Sutherland, part of the Scottish Highlands. This freshwater loch measures about 17.5 mil … |
| Spruce Run Reservoir, NJ (New Jersey, Skylands Region, NJ, US Mid-Atlantic Region, USA) |
274 ft | Spruce Run Reservoir is one of the oldest reservoirs in the state of New Jersey. Constructed in the 1960s to meet an increasing need for water supplie … |
| Charleston Lake (Canada, Ontario, Canada) |
274 ft | A natural haven awaits vacationers in Eastern Ontario along the shores of Charleston Lake. Balanced along the eastern edge of the Frontenac Arch geolo … |
| Androscoggin Lake (Kennebec & Moose River Valleys Region, ME, Lakes & Mountains Region, ME, Maine, US New England Region, USA) |
272 ft | Also known as Lake Androscoggin Androscoggin Lake is a freshwater glacial lake of very irregular shape that falls into two geographic regions of Central Maine: the Kennebec and Moose … |