Lakes & Dams · Bull Shoals, AR
Bull Shoals Lake water level — live
Current elevation, release status at Bull Shoals Dam, and the tailwater on White River, straight from the dam's own satellite telemetry. Last reported 48 minutes ago
Lake elevation
656.35 ft
That is 2.65 ft below conservation pool (659.00 ft). The pool has fallen 0.17 ft over the last 48 hours.
Bull Shoals Dam
Generating now
Water is being released into White River right now.
Tailwater
450.77 ft
Stage immediately below the dam on White River.
Pool elevation, last 48 hours
Range: 656.28–656.52 ft · 91 satellite reports
Is Bull Shoals Dam generating right now?
Yes. As of the last satellite report (reported 48 minutes ago), Bull Shoals Dam is generating and releasing water into White River. Expect rising water, strong current, and unsafe wading below the dam.
Planned generation is projected a day ahead by the Southwestern Power Administration, but the schedule can change hour to hour. GaugeKeep shows what the dam is actually doing, decoded from its live telemetry — with megawatt output and turbine flow available on the Guide plan.
About Bull Shoals Lake
Bull Shoals Lake straddles the Arkansas-Missouri line on the White River. The tailwater below Bull Shoals Dam is world-famous trout water, and whether the powerhouse is generating decides whether you are wading or boating.
This page is watched by White River trout anglers and guides, lake boaters, and dock owners. Below the dam is the White River below the dam, one of the most famous trout fisheries in America.
Bull Shoals Lake area: Bull Shoals, Mountain Home, Flippin, Cotter, Lakeview, Gassville. Whether you keep a boat at the marina, own a dock, guide the tailwater, or farm downstream, this is the same live telemetry the dam itself reports.
Frequently asked
What is the water level at Bull Shoals Lake today?
Bull Shoals Lake is at 656.35 ft (reported 48 minutes ago). That is 2.65 ft below conservation pool (659.00 ft). The pool has fallen 0.17 ft over the last 48 hours.
Is Bull Shoals Dam generating or releasing water right now?
Yes. As of the last satellite report (reported 48 minutes ago), Bull Shoals Dam is generating and releasing water into White River. Expect rising water, strong current, and unsafe wading below the dam.
What is the normal (conservation) pool for Bull Shoals Lake?
Conservation pool is 659.00 ft and the top of flood pool is 695.00 ft, per the USACE Little Rock District. Between those elevations, the lake is storing flood water that the Corps will release downstream over time.
How current is this data?
GaugeKeep reads the dam’s own GOES satellite telemetry — the same feed the Corps of Engineers uses — and updates within minutes of each transmission, typically every 15 minutes to 1 hour per station.
How do I get an alert when Bull Shoals Lake hits a certain level?
Create a free GaugeKeep account, track Bull Shoals Dam, and set a threshold on pool or tailwater elevation. We email you the moment a report crosses your line — before you tow the boat or step in the river.
Never get surprised by this lake again
Track Bull Shoals Dam with a free account and get an email the moment the pool, the tailwater, or the release status crosses the line you care about.
Data: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers GOES satellite telemetry, decoded by GaugeKeep. Pool bands: USACE Little Rock District. Not a substitute for official navigation or safety guidance; conditions below dams change without warning.