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Rend Lake Water Level Today

Daily level, distance to full pool and history for Rend Lake, on the Big Muddy River in Illinois.

Updated · Source: US Army Corps of EngineersUSACE Provisional

Water level Provisional

403.23ft

msl · 8:30 PM CST, Nov 7, 2026

  • 1.77 ftbelow full pool (405.0 ft)
  • 153,385acre-ft in storage
  • −0.01 ftin 24 h−0.19 ft in 7 days−0.73 ft in 30 days
402404406408402404406408402404406408
  • Full pool
  • 1 yr ago

Is Rend Lake full?

No. Rend Lake is 1.77 ft below full pool (405.0 ft). It is 0.98 ft lower than a year ago (404.21 ft on Nov 7, 2025).

Rend Lake level history

Full pool 405.0 ft
View data table
DateLevel (ft)% full
Nov 7, 2026403.23—
Nov 6, 2026403.26—
Nov 5, 2026403.30—
Nov 4, 2026403.33—
Nov 3, 2026403.27—
Nov 2, 2026403.37—
Nov 1, 2026403.41—
Oct 31, 2026403.42—
Oct 30, 2026403.44—
Oct 29, 2026403.47—
Oct 28, 2026403.53—
Oct 27, 2026403.57—
Oct 26, 2026403.61—
Oct 25, 2026403.62—
Oct 24, 2026403.63—
Oct 23, 2026403.66—
Oct 22, 2026403.69—
Oct 21, 2026403.73—
Oct 20, 2026403.76—
Oct 19, 2026403.80—
Oct 18, 2026403.82—
Oct 17, 2026403.82—
Oct 16, 2026403.87—
Oct 15, 2026403.89—
Oct 14, 2026403.88—
Oct 13, 2026403.82—
Oct 12, 2026403.85—
Oct 11, 2026403.87—
Oct 10, 2026403.89—
Oct 9, 2026403.91—
Oct 8, 2026403.96—
  • Rend Lake level
  • Full pool 405.0 ft
  • Above full pool
Source: USACE · Daily averages since 1971

Rend Lake on Nov 7 in past years

Rend Lake water level on Nov 7 in past years
YearLevel (ft)vs todayvs full pool
2026today403.23—−1.77 ft
2025404.21+0.98−0.79 ft
2024405.41+2.18+0.41 ft
2023404.05+0.82−0.95 ft
2022404.95+1.72−0.05 ft
2021405.58+2.35+0.58 ft
2020404.83+1.60−0.17 ft
2019406.01+2.78+1.01 ft
2018407.23+4.00+2.23 ft
2017404.42+1.19−0.58 ft
2016406.18+2.95+1.18 ft

Today’s level is the lowest for this date since 1972.

Lake facts

Full pool (conservation pool)
405.0 ft msl
Top of flood pool
410.0 ft msl
Bottom of conservation pool
391.3 ft msl
Record high since 1972
413.57 ftMay 19, 1995
Record low since 1972
401.07 ftApr 23, 1972
Data since
Jan 16, 1971
Dam
Rend Lake Damcompleted 1971
River
Big Muddy River
Operated by
US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District
Dam location
Franklin County
Gauge location
38.0376, −88.9616

Dam, river and owner from the National Inventory of Dams (USACE). Records start in 1972, after the first filling of the reservoir.

Weather on the lake

  1. Tonight36°FLowWSW 2 mphMostly Clear then Patchy Fog
  2. Sunday63°FHighLow 43°FWSW 2–8 mphPatchy Frost then Sunny
  3. Monday65°FHighLow 47°FWSW 0–3 mphPatchy Fog then Sunny
  4. Tuesday68°FHighLow 48°FSW 6 mphSunny
  5. Wednesday67°FHighLow 48°FW 1–8 mphMostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
  6. Thursday55°FHighLow 37°FN 10–17 mphMostly Sunny
  7. Friday50°FHighLow 36°FNNW 6–10 mphMostly Sunny

Forecast: National Weather Service for the dam area (38.04, −88.96). Wind speeds are forecasts, not measurements.

Nearby lakes

Quick answers

What is the full pool level of Rend Lake?
405.0 ft above mean sea level, the top of its conservation pool. Above it, water is held in the flood pool (up to 410.0 ft) and released through Rend Lake Dam when conditions downstream allow.
How much does Rend Lake need to be full?
Rend Lake needs 1.77 ft more water to reach full pool (405.0 ft), as of Nov 7, 2026.
Is Rend Lake rising or falling?
It is falling: −0.19 ft in the last 7 days and −0.01 ft in 24 hours, to 403.23 ft on 8:30 PM CST, Nov 7, 2026 (US Army Corps of Engineers).
When was Rend Lake last full?
It was last at or above full pool (405.0 ft) on Aug 28, 2026. On Nov 7, 2026 it was 1.77 ft below.
What was the highest level ever recorded?
Rend Lake reached 413.57 ft on May 19, 1995. The lowest was 401.07 ft on Apr 23, 1972 (USACE data since 1972).
How much has Rend Lake changed in the last year?
In the last 12 months it ranged from 403.23 ft (Nov 7, 2026) to 406.54 ft (May 10, 2026), a swing of 3.31 ft.
How often is this page updated?
This page is updated several times a day with the latest reading from US Army Corps of Engineers. The last reading is from 8:30 PM CST, Nov 7, 2026.

Where this data comes from

Hourly pool elevation from the US Army Corps of Engineers (water.usace.army.mil). Recent readings are provisional and may be revised. Weather from the National Weather Service. Dam details from the National Inventory of Dams.

Lake Levels Daily is an independent site, not affiliated with TWDB, LCRA, USACE, USGS, NOAA, TVA or any lake operator. Check official sources before making safety decisions.