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Elephant Butte Lake Water Level Today
As of , Elephant Butte Lake's water level is 4,315.51 ft: 3.7 ft above normal for the date.
New Mexico · Official data from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Water level today · November 13, 2026 (daily reading)
Normal for the date
+3.7 ft from the typical level for this date
4,315.51 ft above sea level
- Past 7 days
- +6.2 ft
- vs 1 year ago
- +19.0 ft
What do these numbers mean?
- Water level
- The height of the lake surface in feet above sea level, as measured by the official gauge.
- Normal for the date
- The typical (median) level on this calendar date across 2006-2025. The normal range is where the lake stood in 8 of 10 years.
Elephant Butte Lake water level chart (last 2 years)
Over the last two years, Elephant Butte Lake ranged from 4,275.1 ft on July 29, 2026 to 4,322.6 ft on April 28, 2025, and today it is 19.0 ft higher than on the same day last year.
How is Elephant Butte Lake changing?
Over the past 7 days the level rose 6.15 ft; over 30 days it rose 19.7 ft.
One year ago the lake stood at 4,296.5 ft, so it is +19.0 ft compared with the same day last year.
Is Elephant Butte Lake above or below normal?
For November 13, the normal level is about 4,311.8 ft (the normal range is 4,295.7 ft to 4,337.9 ft). Today's level is +3.7 ft compared with normal, within the normal range.
“Normal” here means the median level recorded on this calendar date across 2006-2025. Many reservoirs are drawn down on purpose in fall and winter, so a level below full pool can still be completely normal for the season.
Recent history
| Highest daily level (last 2 years) | 4,322.63 ft | April 28, 2025 |
| Lowest daily level (last 2 years) | 4,275.13 ft | July 29, 2026 |
| Same day last year | 4,296.53 ft | +19.0 ft vs today |
Elephant Butte Lake record high and low
| Record high (daily level since 1950) | 4,407.21 ft | November 19, 1986 |
| Record low (daily level since 1950) | 4,258.03 ft | August 6, 1954 |
| About 5 years ago | 4,299.77 ft | October 20, 2021 |
Records cover the daily readings published by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation from January 1, 1950 until October 17, 2026. Older extremes, before the gauge record starts, are not included.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the water level of Elephant Butte Lake today?
- The latest reading is 4,315.51 ft above sea level, reported by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on November 13, 2026.
- What is a normal water level for Elephant Butte Lake at this time of year?
- Based on daily readings from 2006-2025, the typical (median) level for this date is 4,311.8 ft, and 8 out of 10 years fall between 4,295.7 ft and 4,337.9 ft.
- What were the highest and lowest levels in the last two years?
- The highest daily level in the last two years was 4,322.6 ft on April 28, 2025; the lowest was 4,275.1 ft on July 29, 2026.
- What is the lowest water level ever recorded at Elephant Butte Lake?
- In the official daily record since 1950, the lowest level of Elephant Butte Lake was 4,258.0 ft on August 6, 1954.
- What is the highest water level ever recorded at Elephant Butte Lake?
- In the official daily record since 1950, the highest level of Elephant Butte Lake was 4,407.2 ft on November 19, 1986.
- How close is Elephant Butte Lake to its record low?
- Today's level is 57.5 ft above the record low of 4,258.0 ft (August 6, 1954) and 91.7 ft below the record high of 4,407.2 ft (November 19, 1986).
Boating and fishing at Elephant Butte Lake
Boat ramp access, park hours and fishing rules are set by the operator and can change with the water level. Official information for boating, fishing and parks: Elephant Butte Lake State Park (New Mexico State Parks).
Where this data comes from
The water level is published by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (station 332) and refreshed on this page every day. Full pool comes from the operator; the normal range is calculated from official daily readings for 2006-2025. Recent readings are provisional and may be revised. See data sources & methodology.
Download the daily levels for Elephant Butte Lake (CSV, last 2 years)