Smith.Elev.Inst.1Hour.0.Raw-APCO, office SAM; feet NGVD29. Source observations are provisional and may be delayed or revised.
Reviewed Oct 31, 2026
Lewis Smith Lake Alabama Water Level & Recent Observations
See the latest available Smith Lake elevation, observation time, NGVD29 datum and recent reported changes, with official sources and practical dock-depth context.
LAKE CONDITIONS
Latest observationSmith Lake water level.
498.40 ft
Elevation · NGVD29 Provisional
Observed
24-hour change-0.08 ft
A provisional observation from the reporting source.
Oct 27, 2026, 8:00 PM CDTNov 3, 2026, 7:00 PM CST
Reported range: 498.40–498.82 ft NGVD29. Missing periods are left unconnected. These are observations, not a forecast.
Source: USACE Mobile District · Lewis Smith (APC) ↗Provisional observations published through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers CWMS Data API.
Last checked
Lake elevation does not establish the water depth at a particular dock or safe boating conditions.
Read the observation and its time together
The reading above is the latest valid observation available to this website from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District’s public Smith Lake series. The date and time show when the water surface was observed. The separate check time shows when this website requested the data. Times use Central Time, including daylight-saving changes.
The website checks the source when this page or the information center is opened, with a five-minute cache for successful responses. Observations are provisional and can contain gaps. A delayed or older observation stays labeled; an unavailable response does not become a zero reading. This page is an observation resource, not a continuously monitored warning service.
What feet NGVD29 means
The source identifies this series in feet relative to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929, abbreviated NGVD29. This is an elevation reference for the lake surface. Keep the reference with the number when comparing it with another measurement. A number using a different vertical datum may require a verified conversion.
Water depth at a dock also depends on the lakebed at that location. An elevation of the lake surface does not tell you how much water is below a particular boat, whether a route is clear, or whether a dock meets a buyer’s needs. Ask for a site measurement, its date, the lake elevation at that time and the reference used.
Understand the recent trend without filling the gaps
The chart plots available observations over roughly the last seven days. Gaps longer than 90 minutes remain unconnected. The 24-hour change appears only when the source contains a valid observation exactly 24 hours before the latest point. Missing observations do not become estimated readings.
The displayed range describes those observations only. It is not a forecast, a normal operating range, a minimum depth or a promise about water conditions during your visit.
Use current operating information for your plans
Alabama Power’s published explanation of lake management describes several operating considerations, including flood storage, wildlife protection, navigation and drought. Seasonal context can help you prepare questions, while the current lake page is the place to check operating information for a particular visit.
Before boating or evaluating a home, consider the observation time, local conditions, weather and the actual facility or dock you intend to use. Review current official information and property records alongside the reading.
Official information, with context.
Official documentation for the public data service.
Reviewed Oct 31, 2026
Published October 1, 2024. Background on lake management; current observations and operating information are separate.
Reviewed Oct 31, 2026
Information reviewed Oct 31, 2026. Confirm current requirements and the details for your property with the responsible authority.