Overview
DeGray Lake is a roughly 13,400-acre reservoir on the Caddo River in the Ouachita Mountain foothills of Clark and Hot Spring counties, just north of Arkadelphia, Arkansas. It was created when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Vicksburg District) completed DeGray Dam in the early 1970s. The multipurpose project provides flood risk management, hydroelectric power (including pump-back capability), water supply, water quality, and recreation.
With about 207 miles of mostly undeveloped shoreline, an average depth near 47 feet, and a maximum depth of about 200 feet, DeGray is known for clear water, islands, and deep channels framed by forested ridges. A smaller re-regulation lake below the main dam stores water for pump-back generation and doubles as a waterfowl refuge.
DeGray is a premier Arkansas recreation lake anchored by DeGray Lake Resort State Park, Corps campgrounds, marinas, and numerous boat ramps. It is known for hybrid striped bass, crappie, catfish, and largemouth bass, with fisheries managed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Water levels on DeGray Lake are managed by the Corps of Engineers around a normal full pool of 408 feet NGVD29, with a flood-control pool extending to about 420 feet. Elevations also respond to hydropower and pump-back operations, so monitoring current lake levels is helpful for boating, fishing, and shoreline access. Nearby sister reservoirs include Lake Ouachita and Lake Greeson.
Current Conditions
DeGray Lake is currently 2.2 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 0.45 ft
- 30-day changeDown 0.20 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.
DeGray Lake is a 13,400-acre reservoir on the Caddo River managed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
