Wilson Lake near Wilson water level
Lake, Wilson Lake, Kansas, United States
Right now
Low for mid-October
Surface elevation
- Water stored
- 196,300 acre‑ft
History
202120222023202420252026
What this means
At 1,511.18 ft, Wilson Lake near Wilson is below normal for mid-October.
The median for mid-October is 1,513.33 ft, based on 7 years of readings, so the lake level is 2.15 ft below typical. On the same day last year the reading was 1,510.63 ft, a difference of +0.55 ft.
It has barely moved over the past 24 hours. Over the past 30 days it has moved between 1,510.78 ft and 1,511.32 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
- 1,513.33 ft2.15 ft below the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- 1,510.66 ft – 1,515.42 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (7 years of records)
- Same day last year
- 1,510.63 ft+0.55 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- 1,510.78 ft – 1,511.32 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- 1,510.26 ft – 1,512.11 ft
- Highest on record
- 1,548.27 ftAugust 13, 1993
Swimming and boating at Wilson Lake near Wilson
Low water changes a lake fast for boaters. Some ramps get shorter or close, docks may be moved, and rocks and sandbars that are usually well under the surface come within reach of a prop.
If you swim, pick a spot with an easy way out, and remember that drop-offs move as the level changes.
What happens at each level
- 1,554.00 ft
- Top of flood control pool.
- 1,516.00 ft
- Top of conservation pool.
- 1,511.18 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Weather at the gauge
Rain in the last 3 days: 0.15 in.
Forecast: Open-Meteo
Map
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saline River at Wilson DamRiver gauge, Saline River | 2.86 ft | Normal | ±0 | 0.7 mi |
| Saline River at LincolnRiver gauge, Saline River | 10.39 ft | Below flood stage | −0.03 ft | 19 mi |
| Saline River near RussellRiver gauge, Saline River | 4.51 ft | Normal | −0.02 ft | 19 mi |
| Paradise Creek near ParadiseRiver gauge, Paradise Creek | 8.38 ft | Below flood stage | −0.02 ft | 20 mi |
| Smoky Hill River at EllsworthRiver gauge, Smoky Hill River | 1.77 ft | Normal | −0.05 ft | 22 mi |
| Smoky Hill River near RussellRiver gauge, Smoky Hill River | 4.21 ft | Below flood stage | −0.09 ft | 23 mi |
| Saline River at TescottRiver gauge, Saline River | 6.66 ft | Normal | −0.03 ft | 33 mi |
| Sf Solomon River at OsborneRiver gauge, Sf Solomon River | 3.10 ft | Low | −0.04 ft | 34 mi |
Questions and answers
Is Wilson Lake near Wilson higher than last year?
Yes, it is 0.55 ft higher than on the same day last year, when the reading was 1,510.63 ft.
What is a normal level for Wilson Lake near Wilson in mid-October?
The median for mid-October is 1,513.33 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 1,510.66 ft and 1,515.42 ft, based on 7 years of records.
Is Wilson Lake near Wilson really 1,511.18 ft deep?
No. 1,511.18 ft is the height of the water surface above sea level (or the agency's vertical datum), not the depth of the water.
What is the water level of Wilson Lake near Wilson today?
On Oct 19, 2026, 10:30 AM CDT, the surface elevation was 1,511.18 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is Wilson Lake near Wilson rising or falling?
Steady over the last 24 hours. Down 0.05 ft over the last 7 days.
Is the level of Wilson Lake near Wilson normal?
Low for mid-October. Compared with 7 years of daily readings for this time of year.
What is the highest water level ever recorded at Wilson Lake near Wilson?
The highest level on record is 1,548.27 ft on August 13, 1993.
For specialists
Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
- Operator
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Station code
usgs:06868100(Agency page)- Coordinates
38.96446, -98.49257(WGS84)- Vertical datum
- NGVD29
- Update interval
- every 15 minutes
- Licence
- Public domain. Data: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provisional data subject to revision
Published series
| Parameter | Last value | Time (UTC) | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface elevation | 1,511.18 ft | 2026-10-19 15:30 | Provisional |
| Water stored | 196,300 acre‑ft | 2026-10-19 15:30 | Provisional |
Download
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Wilson Lake near Wilson (usgs:06868100). Accessed October 19, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/kansas/wilson-lake-near-wilson
How we check values
Each reading is stored as published. We hold back values that jump faster than physically plausible and show the measurement time with every value.
Readings are provisional, can be delayed or wrong and are not a flood warning. Read the disclaimer