Lake Michigan Water Level Today
Station: Lake Michigan at Milwaukee, WI (USGS 9087031) • Managing Agency: NOAA CO-OPS / USACE
Current Conditions Summary
Lake Michigan in MI is currently reading 579.11 ft (IGLD85). Boaters, dock owners, and anglers can check this reading alongside historical percentiles and wind forecasts below. This places today's water level at the 62th percentile for this time of year.
Water Level Observation Chart
Middle 50% seasonal band shown in aquaBoating Conditions & Wind Safety Strip
Forecast point: Lat 43.003, Lon -87.888 • NWS Hourly Model
Monitoring Station Location
Verified Public Boat Ramps
No verified public boat ramps are officially indexed for this basin. In accordance with our data policy, we do not estimate ramp elevations without authoritative agency surveys.
Practical Tools for Lake Michigan
Dock & Ramp Clearance
Calculate water depth over your slip floor or ramp toe today.
Lake Level Risk Report
Analyze multi-decade flood and drought frequencies for specific elevations.
Compare With Other Lakes
Compare Lake Michigan against nearby lakes on level and wind.
About Lake Michigan Hydrology
Lake Michigan is a verified great_lake situated in Milwaukee County, MI. Water resources and dam operations are managed by NOAA CO-OPS / USACE.
Official hydrological telemetry is captured at station Lake Michigan at Milwaukee, WI (Station ID: 9087031) and is referenced to the IGLD85 vertical geodetic datum. The station features continuous daily observation records spanning back to 1860-01-01 (164 years of records).
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Michigan
What is the current water level of Lake Michigan?
The latest verified reading for Lake Michigan is 579.11 ft IGLD85, recorded at station 9087031.
Is Lake Michigan currently considered normal, high, or low?
At the 62th percentile, this level is typical for the date and falls within the middle 50% of the 164 years on record.
What is the full conservation pool of Lake Michigan?
Full pool elevation is authorized at 580.0 ft IGLD85. The lake is currently 0.89 ft below full pool.
What vertical datum is used for Lake Michigan?
Elevations on Lake Michigan reference the IGLD85 geodetic vertical datum. Always confirm this datum when comparing water readings to private dock surveys.
Who manages the dam and water releases on Lake Michigan?
Water management and river operations are directed by NOAA CO-OPS / USACE.
Are public boat ramps on Lake Michigan currently usable?
Launch usability depends on the specific ramp's toe elevation and your trailer draft. Check our verified ramp table above or calculate your exact hull clearance using the Clearance Calculator.