Calamus Reservoir and Virginia Smith water level
Reservoir, Nebraska, United States
Right now
Normal for mid-October
Surface elevation
- Water stored
- 77,568 acre‑ft
History
202120222023202420252026
What this means
Nothing unusual at Calamus Reservoir and Virginia Smith right now: the lake level of 2,234.43 ft is in the normal range for mid-October.
The median for mid-October is 2,233.27 ft, based on 34 years of readings, so the lake level is 1.16 ft above typical. On the same day last year the reading was 2,237.00 ft, a difference of −2.57 ft.
The level is falling, down 0.08 ft over the past week. Over the past 30 days it has moved between 2,233.41 ft and 2,234.60 ft.
Many reservoirs are drawn down through summer and fall; most of the refill comes later, with winter rain or spring snowmelt.
Compared with 34 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Median for this date
- 2,233.27 ft1.16 ft above the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- 2,226.91 ft – 2,237.25 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (34 years of records)
- Same day last year
- 2,237.00 ft−2.57 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- 2,233.41 ft – 2,234.60 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- 2,233.14 ft – 2,244.33 ft
Swimming and boating at Calamus Reservoir and Virginia Smith
At a normal level, ramps and marinas generally run as usual, and fishing tends to follow the season more than the water level.
If you swim, pick a spot with an easy way out, and remember that drop-offs move as the level changes.
Weather at the gauge
Rain in the last 3 days: 0.20 in.
Forecast: Open-Meteo
Map
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Loup River at TaylorRiver gauge, North Loup River | 3.00 ft | Below flood stage | −0.01 ft | 9 mi |
| Middle Loup River near GatesRiver gauge, Middle Loup River | 4.70 ft | Low | +0.01 ft | 24 mi |
| North Loup River at BrewsterRiver gauge, North Loup River | 2.85 ft | Very low | ±0 | 34 mi |
| Davis Creek ReservoirReservoir | 2,056.60 ft | Normal | 39 mi | |
| North Loup River near Saint PaulRiver gauge, North Loup River | 2.79 ft | Low | −0.01 ft | 56 mi |
Questions and answers
Is Calamus Reservoir and Virginia Smith higher than last year?
No, it is 2.57 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 2,237.00 ft.
What is a normal level for Calamus Reservoir and Virginia Smith in mid-October?
The median for mid-October is 2,233.27 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 2,226.91 ft and 2,237.25 ft, based on 34 years of records.
Is Calamus Reservoir and Virginia Smith really 2,234.43 ft deep?
No. 2,234.43 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 Calamus Reservoir and Virginia Smith today?
On Oct 17, 2026, the surface elevation was 2,234.43 ft. Down 0.08 ft over the last 7 days.
Is Calamus Reservoir and Virginia Smith rising or falling?
Down 0.08 ft over the last 7 days.
Is the level of Calamus Reservoir and Virginia Smith normal?
Normal for mid-October. Compared with 34 years of daily readings for this time of year.
How often is this data updated?
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation publishes a new reading once a day. This page refreshes within minutes of each update.
For specialists
Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
- Operator
- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
- Station code
usbr:287(Agency page)- Coordinates
41.82720, -99.21970(WGS84)- Update interval
- once a day
- Licence
- Public domain. Data: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (RISE), provisional data subject to revision
Published series
| Parameter | Last value | Time (UTC) | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface elevation | 2,234.43 ft | 2026-10-17 05:00 | Provisional |
| Water stored | 77,568 acre‑ft | 2026-10-17 05:00 | Provisional |
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How to cite
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation: Calamus Reservoir and Virginia Smith (usbr:287). Accessed October 19, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/nebraska/calamus-reservoir-and-virginia-smith
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