Guides
Short explanations of the numbers on every lake page.
- What “Full Pool” and “ft MSL” MeanThe two numbers on every lake page, full pool and feet above mean sea level, explained with Lake Travis, plus a glossary of reservoir terms.
- Why Lakes Drop in WinterMany reservoirs are lowered on purpose in fall. Here is why, and how to tell a planned drawdown from a drought.
- How We Measure Lake LevelsWhere each number on this site comes from, how often it changes and what can go wrong.
Glossary
Acre-foot, conservation pool, dead pool, flood pool, drawdown, guide curve, IGLD 1985 and provisional data are defined in the glossary.