Norfork Lake lake and shoreline

Norfork Lake Water Level

ArkansasMissouri

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Norfork Lake

Norfork Lake is currently 2.0 feet below full pool, with a water-surface elevation of 552.0 feet.

551.99 ft · Updated 4 hours ago · NOAA / National Weather Service — Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

Current level

551.99ft

−2.01 ft vs full pool

Normal

Vs full pool

Since last reading

Down 0.07 ft

Previous readingNov 8552.08 ft

7-day change

Down 0.08 ft

7-day trend: Falling

8 daily readings in the last 7 days

30-day change

Down 0.58 ft

30 daily readings in the last 30 days

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Water Level History

Current
551.99 ft
24h
-0.07 ft
7d
-0.08 ft
30d
-0.58 ft

Elevation (ft) NGVD29 · MSL

Reference line is designed full pool.

Water Temperature

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Lake Level Context

Level remains below the full pool

Norfork Lake is currently 551.99 ft, 2.01 ft below its full pool. The lake has fallen 0.08 ft over the past 7 days and 0.58 ft over the past 30 days.

Norfork Lake Level Details

Reference elevations, recent daily readings, data sources, and answers to common questions.

Conditions & Reference

Level status

2.01 ft below full pool

Current level
551.99 ft
Full pool
554 ft
DatumElevation referenced to National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929.
NGVD29
Elevation reference
MSL
Source
NOAA / NWS

Reference levels

  • Full pool554 ft
  • Flood stage580 ft

Surrounding county drought

Moderate Drought

100% of surrounding county in official drought (D1–D4).

Severity

NoneExtreme
Trend
Stable

Surrounding county drought

Baxter County, AR

Moderate Drought

Moderate Drought. The largest share of Baxter County, AR is in Moderate Drought (D1), an official USDM drought category. These figures describe the surrounding county from the lake location, not the lake itself.. Trend: Stable compared with last week. Official drought (D1–D4) yes

Severity

NoneExtreme

Weekly trend

Stable

Compared with last week

Official drought (D1–D4)

Yes

100% of the surrounding county is in official drought categories (D1–D4). Dominant category remains Moderate Drought.

Typical county impacts (USDM guidance)

  • Streamflows in the surrounding county may run below normal
  • Soils and vegetation can dry between rain events
  • Water managers may begin to watch supply more closely

U.S. Drought Monitor · map date Nov 3, 2026. Updated weekly. Official drought means U.S. Drought Monitor categories D1–D4 (Moderate through Exceptional). Abnormally Dry (D0) is not counted as official drought. droughtmonitor.unl.eduView drought map for Baxter County, AR

Daily level summary

DateLevelChange
Nov 9, 2026552.01-0.07
Nov 8, 2026552.08-0.07
Nov 7, 2026552.15-0.01
Nov 6, 2026552.16-0.01
Nov 5, 2026552.17-0.01
Nov 4, 2026552.18+0.07
Nov 3, 2026552.11+0.02

Common questions about Norfork Lake’s water level

  • The current water level at Norfork Lake is 551.99 ft (updated 4 hours ago). You can track the Norfork Lake lake level on the interactive chart and daily history above.

  • Full pool for Norfork Lake is 554 ft — the normal conservation target elevation when the reservoir is at its designed summer or operating pool.

  • The current 7-day trend for the Norfork Lake lake level is falling — falling about 0.08 ft over the past week. See the history chart above for the full picture.

  • Based on the latest gauge reading, Norfork Lake is currently 2.01 ft below full pool.

Lake level glossary

Definitions for pool targets, datums, and how elevation readings are labeled.

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