Overview
Lake Monroe is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on Salt Creek in south-central Indiana near Bloomington. Completed in 1965, the lake covers approximately 10,750 acres. It is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District for flood control and water supply, with recreation managed in partnership with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
With about 190 miles of shoreline, Monroe offers an extensive network of wooded coves, creek arms, points, and winding channels around a large main pool. Depth and bottom character vary from shallower cove heads and flats to deeper water near the dam and channel, creating diverse habitat for boaters and anglers. The high shoreline complexity relative to the Salt Creek basin is a defining physical feature of the lake.
Lake Monroe is a major Indiana recreation destination for boating, fishing, camping, and shoreline use. Fisheries and recreation management are supported by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, with public ramps, parks, and state recreation facilities around the pool. Access draws visitors from across Indiana and neighboring states.
Louisville District manages Monroe with a normal pool near 538 feet and flood storage to about 556 feet. Seasonal rainfall, flood-control storage, and water-management needs move elevations through that range. Monitoring lake levels matters for navigation in narrow arms, ramp usability, fishing success, and shoreline access as the pool rises into flood storage or settles near the recreation pool.
Current Conditions
Lake Monroe is currently 0.37 feet above full pool and has fallen slightly over the past week.
- 7-day trendFallingLatest movement can differ from the seven-day trend.
- 7-day changeDown 0.12 ft
- 30-day changeDown 0.43 ft
- Drought conditionsNo Drought
About This Lake
Learn how this lake is managed, what affects its water level, and where Lake Insights gets its data.
Lake Monroe is a 10,750-acre reservoir on the Salt Creek managed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
