Last 30 days
Next few days
The Corps of Engineers' forecast for the lake and its planned releases through Clearwater Dam into the Black River.
| Day | Forecast level (ft) | Planned release (cfs, daily average) |
|---|---|---|
| Tue, Nov 10 | 494.42 | 421 |
| Wed, Nov 11 | 494.43 | 355 |
| Thu, Nov 12 | 494.40 | 355 |
| Fri, Nov 13 | 494.44 | 289 |
| Sat, Nov 14 | — | 268 |
Forecasts change with rain and power demand. The Corps updates them daily.
Pool levels
| Level now | 494.46 ft |
|---|---|
| Normal pool (today) | 494.00 ft |
| Top of flood pool | 567 ft |
| Dam | Clearwater Dam, Black River |
| Managed by | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District |
The Corps sets the normal pool by season, and this is today's target.
What the number means
Lake levels are feet above sea level, measured at the dam. Clearwater Lake sits behind Clearwater Dam on the Black River, near Piedmont.
A lake a few feet under normal pool is common in fall and winter. It shows up first at boat ramps with short concrete, in the shallow backs of coves, and at docks close to shore, so look at the ramp before you back the trailer down.
When the lake rises above normal pool, the extra water is flood storage. The Corps lets it out through the dam over days or weeks, so the river below the dam can run high long after the rain stops.
Questions
What is the normal pool at Clearwater Lake?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District, sets the top of the conservation pool (normal pool) by season. Today's target is 494.00 feet above sea level.
Where does this number come from?
The National Weather Service gauge at Clearwater Dam, which reports the lake's surface elevation every hour. We read it every hour.
How high can Clearwater Lake get?
The top of the flood control pool is 567 feet. Water stored between normal pool and that line is released over the following weeks.
Is the lake low right now?
No. At 494.46 feet, Clearwater Lake is within a foot of normal pool.
Sources
- National Weather Service gauge CLRM7 at Clearwater Dam, read hourly
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CWMS Data: seasonal normal pool, read daily
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District, via CWMS Data: lake forecast, planned releases and hourly generation, read hourly
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District: normal and flood pool elevations, checked Nov 10, 2026
Gauge readings are provisional. This page is independent and not affiliated with the agencies that run the gauges or the dam.