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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Karapiro, New Zealand (New Zealand, North Island, NZ, Waikato Region, North Island, NZ) |
176 ft | A 1,920-acre reservoir, Lake Karapiro is home to the New Zealand National Rowing teams. Located on the North Island of New Zealand in the Waikato Regi … |
| Sam Rayburn Reservoir, TX (Piney Woods Region, TX, Texas, US Southwest Region, USA) |
175 ft | Also known as Lake Sam Rayburn, McGee Bend Reservoir Sam Rayburn Reservoir, lovingly called “Big Sam”, and formerly known as McGee Bend Reservoir, is the largest lake which lies completely within Texas. … |
| Caddo Lake, LA/TX (Louisiana, Piney Woods Region, TX, Sportsman's Paradise Region, LA, Texas, US South Region, US Southwest Region, USA) |
170 ft | Caddo Lake covers an impressive 26,800 acres and straddles the border of Texas and Louisiana. The lake is a maze of interconnected waterways, heavily … |
| Roanoke Rapids Lake (North Carolina, Piedmont Region, NC, US South Region, USA) |
142 ft | Often overshadowed by its better-known neighbor Lake Gaston, Roanoke Rapids Lake offers a quieter and less crowded spot for recreation. The third rese … |
| Lake Livingston, TX (Piney Woods Region, TX, Texas, US Southwest Region, USA) |
135 ft | Also known as Livingston Reservoir Sometimes referred to as a “water wonderland,” Lake Livingston is the second largest lake contained entirely within Texas. With over 450 miles of shor … |
| Lake Eloise, FL (Florida, US South Region, USA, West Central Florida) |
133 ft | Also known as Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, Southern Chain Bald cypress trees dripping with Spanish moss reach out of the water near the shore of Lake Eloise. The cottage-dotted shoreline harkens back to a tim … |
| Lake Windermere (England, England's Northwest Region, United Kingdom) |
130 ft | Also known as Windermere, The Lake District Lake Windermere is the largest natural lake in England, covering more than 3,600 acres (1,476 hectares) in northwest England’s famous Lake District. C … |
| Lake Kerkini (Central Macedonia Region, Greece, Greece, Serres Region, Central Macedonia) |
122 ft | Also known as Limni Kerkinis FlocksFlocks of pelicans, grebes and ducks cluster in pockets and bob on Kerkini Lake in Central Macedonia in northern Greece. In the shallows around … |
| Warrior Lake, AL (Alabama, Metropolitan Region, AL, US South Region, USA) |
121 ft | Also known as Warrior Reservoir Warrior Lake is part of the Black Warrior-Tombigbee Lake system located in the diverse Metropolitan Tourism Region of Alabama. Six miles southeast of … |
| Lake Annie, FL (Florida, US South Region, USA, West Central Florida) |
118 ft | Located in central Florida, Lake Annie is 90 miles west of the Atlantic’s white sand beaches and 90 miles east of the Gulf of Mexico’s parks and resor … |
| Manasquan Reservoir, NJ (New Jersey, Shore Region, NJ, US Mid-Atlantic Region, USA) |
112 ft | Also known as Manasquan County Reservoir Manasquan Reservoir is located in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Artifacts found near the reservoir indicate that its land was once occupied by the Lena … |
| Lake Jackson FL (Florida, Panhandle East Region, FL, US South Region, USA) |
96 ft | Also known as Jackson Lake Florida has many special lakes, but none is more unique than Lake Jackson in the Panhandle East region. The 4,500-acre lake is remarkable for trophy l … |