Lake Kemp water level — Texas
Lake Kemp in Texas was last measured at 1,139.37 ft (datum NGVD29), as of Aug 31, 2026, 2:15 AM (UTC-05:00) (USGS Water Services). That is 74.2% of conservation-pool capacity. Over its recent trend window the level has been falling (−2.3 ft). This reading is provisional and subject to revision.
- % of conservation pool full
- 74.2%
- Storage
- 183,640 acre-ft
- Recent trend
- ↓Falling
−2.3 ft over the trend window
Recent trend
Readings this station published between Jun 2, 2026 and Aug 31, 2026 — a 89-day window — downsampled for display.
Data: USGS Water Services (waterservices.usgs.gov) and USACE CWMS Data (cwms-data.usace.army.mil), retrieved 2026-08-31. Both public domain (a work of the U.S. Government, 17 U.S.C. §105).
Source: USGS site 07312000 · USACE SWT/KEMP, retrieved Aug 31, 2026, 8:24 AM (UTC+00:00). Official page for this lake →
About this gauge's record
This site's drainage basin covers approximately 2,086 sq mi of contributing watershed. USACE's continuous elevation record for this project begins in 2014 (3 tracked series for this project).
The dam behind Lake Kemp
Lake Kemp is held back by Lake Kemp Dam , an earthfill embankment, holding the pool back by sheer mass and an impervious core rather than by the strength of concrete , standing 115 ft high and running 8,890 ft along its crest , built across BIG WICHITA RIVER in Baylor County . It was completed in 1923 and modified in 1974O , and is owned by CITY OF WICHITA FALLS;WICHITA COUNTY WID 2 (a local government owner) , to a design credited to CE;CE.
Its recorded primary purpose is flood risk reduction — the pool is drawn down between storms so there is empty space waiting for the next flood, which is why this level can fall in dry weather and climb sharply after rain . It also serves flood risk reduction;tailings;irrigation;recreation;water supply.
It is founded on rock;soil, with a earth core. Its spillway is ungated: once the pool reaches the crest, water leaves on its own and the operator cannot hold it back. The spillway opening is 3,000 ft wide. Its outlet works use slide (sluice gate)2;uncontrolled1.
NID classes it high hazard potential. That describes what a failure would cost downstream — loss of life would be expected — and says nothing about how likely a failure is, or what condition the dam is in. Its most recent condition assessment was satisfactory — no deficiencies recognised for expected loading. That assessment is dated 08/30/2021.
At its normal pool the reservoir covers about 16,540 acres. NID records a maximum storage of 1,078,000 acre-ft against a normal storage of 298,900 acre-ft. Its maximum discharge capacity is 1 cubic feet per second. It is regulated by TCEQ.
Dam facts: National Inventory of Dams record TX04358 , filed by Texas — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, public domain. Water levels above come from USGS Water Services and are a separate source. (How this dam was matched to this gauge →)
How Lake Kemp compares nearby
4 of 6 nearby lakes with a current trend are also falling right now.
Nearby lakes
The six nearest published lakes by centroid distance (great-circle) — cross-state neighbors included.
| Lake | State | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diversion Lake | TX | 1,050.09 ft | 21 km |
| Lake Kickapoo | TX | 1,042.05 ft | 36 km |
| Millers Creek Reservoir | TX | 1,328.16 ft | 45 km |
| N Fork Buffalo Creek Reservoir | TX | 1,045.66 ft | 45 km |
| Truscott Brine Lake | TX | 1,460.04 ft | 63 km |
| Lake Arrowhead | TX | 921.37 ft | 72 km |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the current water level of Lake Kemp?
- As of Aug 31, 2026, 2:15 AM (UTC-05:00), the pool elevation was 1,139.37 ft (datum NGVD29), provisional and subject to revision. See the trend chart above for the recent direction.
- Is Lake Kemp full right now?
- The source reports it at 74.2% of conservation-pool capacity as of Aug 31, 2026, 2:15 AM (UTC-05:00).
- Where does this data come from?
- From USGS site 07312000 · USACE SWT/KEMP, retrieved Aug 31, 2026, 8:24 AM (UTC+00:00).
More in Texas
See every lake tracked in Texas, or read the methodology behind these figures.