Ward Lake near Bradenton water level

What this means

The lake level at Ward Lake near Bradenton reads 3.99 ft, about where it usually sits at this time of year.

That puts it 0.06 ft above the median of 3.93 ft for mid-October, based on 7 years of readings. A year ago it stood at 3.64 ft (+0.35 ft).

The level has held steady over the past 24 hours. The 30-day range is 3.92 ft – 4.61 ft.

Lakes and reservoirs often sit lower in fall after a summer of evaporation and use, and recover with winter rain and spring snowmelt.

Compared with 7 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels

Key numbers

Median for this date

3.93 ft0.06 ft above the median for this date

Normal for this date

3.68 ft – 4.14 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (7 years of records)

Same day last year

3.64 ft+0.35 ft

Lowest and highest in 30 days

3.92 ft – 4.61 ft

Lowest and highest in 12 months

1.55 ft – 4.61 ft