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Lake Cherokee near Tatum water level

Lake, Lake Cherokee, Texas, United States

Directions

Very low for mid-October

Surface elevation

277.16ft Steady over the last 24 hours

280 285 290 Highest onrecord 289.00 ft Minor floodstage 282.00 ft

History

278280282ftOct 13Oct 14Oct 16Oct 17Oct 19Minor flood stage278280282ftOct 13Oct 16Oct 19Minor flood stage
278280282ftSep 20Sep 27Oct 4Oct 12Oct 19Minor flood stage278280282ftSep 20Oct 4Oct 19Minor flood stage
278280282ftOct 2025Jan 2026Apr 2026Jul 2026Oct 2026Minor flood stage278280282ftOct 2025Apr 2026Oct 2026Minor flood stage
278280282ftOct 2020Apr 2022Oct 2023Apr 2025Oct 2026Minor flood stage278280282ftOct 2020Oct 2023Oct 2026Minor flood stage
278280282ftJanMarMayJulSepNov2026278280282ftJanAprJulOct2026

202120222023202420252026

Surface elevation Normal range (10–90 %) Minor flood stage

What this means

At 277.16 ft, Lake Cherokee near Tatum is far below normal for mid-October.

That puts it 1.73 ft below the median of 278.89 ft for mid-October, based on 7 years of readings. It is 4.84 ft below the flood stage of 282.00 ft. A year ago it stood at 279.64 ft (−2.48 ft).

The level has held steady over the past 24 hours. Over the past 30 days it has moved between 277.15 ft and 277.73 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
278.89 ft1.73 ft below the median for this date
Normal for this date
277.21 ft – 279.63 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (7 years of records)
Same day last year
279.64 ft−2.48 ft
Lowest and highest in 30 days
277.15 ft – 277.73 ft
Lowest and highest in 12 months
277.19 ft – 280.64 ft
Highest on record
289.00 ftMarch 30, 1989

Swimming and boating at Lake Cherokee near Tatum

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

285.00 ft
Most boathouses on the river affected by HW. A few homes are flooded as well.
283.00 ft
Several boathouses affected by HW.
277.16 ft
Right now

Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.

Weather at the gauge

The forecast is not available right now.

Sunrise 07:26 AM Sunset 06:43 PM Daylight 11 hr, 17 min First quarter 59%

Map

Nearby gauges

Gauge Level Compared with normal 24 hours Distance
Sabine River below LongviewRiver gauge, Sabine River 2.87 ft Normal +0.04 ft 4.1 mi
Martin Lake near TatumLake, Martin Lake 302.08 ft Low −0.03 ft 9 mi
Sabine River above LongviewRiver gauge, Sabine River 4.53 ft Low −0.03 ft 11 mi
Rabbit Creek at KilgoreRiver gauge, Rabbit Creek 3.14 ft Below flood stage −0.03 ft 14 mi
Sabine River near BeckvilleRiver gauge, Sabine River 6.88 ft Normal −0.04 ft 19 mi
Sabine River near GladewaterRiver gauge, Sabine River 5.32 ft Normal −0.02 ft 20 mi
Little Cypress Creek near Ore CityRiver gauge, Little Cypress Creek 1.71 ft Low −0.01 ft 22 mi
Murvaul Lake near GaryLake, Murvaul Lake 263.85 ft Low −0.01 ft 27 mi

Questions and answers

How does Lake Cherokee near Tatum compare with last year?

It is 2.48 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 279.64 ft.

What is a normal level for Lake Cherokee near Tatum in mid-October?

The median for mid-October is 278.89 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 277.21 ft and 279.63 ft, based on 7 years of records.

Is Lake Cherokee near Tatum really 277.16 ft deep?

No. 277.16 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 Lake Cherokee near Tatum today?

On Oct 19, 2026, 06:45 AM CDT, the surface elevation was 277.16 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.

Is Lake Cherokee near Tatum rising or falling?

Steady over the last 24 hours. Down 0.19 ft over the last 7 days.

Is the level of Lake Cherokee near Tatum normal?

Very 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 Lake Cherokee near Tatum?

The highest level on record is 289.00 ft on March 30, 1989.

For specialists

Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
Operator
U.S. Geological Survey
Station code
usgs:08021400 (Agency page)
Coordinates
32.36919, -94.66856 (WGS84)
Vertical datum
NAVD88
Update interval
every 15 minutes
Licence
Public domain. Data: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provisional data subject to revision

Published series

ParameterLast valueTime (UTC)Quality
Surface elevation 277.16 ft 2026-10-19 11:45 Provisional

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How to cite

U.S. Geological Survey: Lake Cherokee near Tatum (usgs:08021400). Accessed October 19, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/texas/lake-cherokee-near-tatum

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