Overview
Canyon Ferry Lake is a roughly 33,500-acre Missouri River reservoir about 20 miles east of Helena, Montana, formed by Canyon Ferry Dam (1954) and operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for hydropower, irrigation, flood control, and recreation. Canyon Ferry Dam and powerplant sit on the Missouri River upstream of Helena-area communities. Public agencies publish current elevation and recreation notices that are worth checking before a long drive.
USBR cites about 96 shoreline miles (other summaries use ~76); maximum depth is about 166 feet. Broad open water and prairie-mountain shoreline make it one of Montana's largest and busiest reservoirs. Broad open water is famously windy; boaters watch afternoon thermal winds as carefully as the elevation gage.
Rainbow trout, walleye, perch, and ling support a major fishery managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Marinas, campgrounds, and public ramps ring the lake. Three marinas and numerous BLM/Reclamation recreation sites support heavy summer use from Helena and Townsend.
Full-pool elevations are commonly cited near 3,794-3,800 feet above mean sea level. Seasonal operations and Missouri River runoff move the pool; monitoring current lake levels helps with ramps, fishing, and windy open-water boating. Missouri River runoff and power demand set the seasonal pattern more than a deep winter flood draft.
Current Conditions
Canyon Ferry Lake is currently 8.35 feet below full pool and has fallen slightly over the past week.
- 7-day trendFallingLatest movement can differ from the seven-day trend.
- 7-day changeDown 0.64 ft
- 30-day changeDown 2.49 ft
- Drought conditionsAbnormally Dry
About This Lake
Learn how this lake is managed, what affects its water level, and where Lake Insights gets its data.
Canyon Ferry Lake is a 33,500-acre reservoir on the Missouri River managed by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.