About LakeStatus
Your one-stop companion for a safe, enjoyable day on the lake.
LakeStatus.us is a one-stop resource for everything you need to know before you head out on the water.
First, lake levels change. As they do, boat ramps can become unusable and bridges impassable — you want to know that before you load up in the morning, not after you've backed the trailer down.
Second, emergencies happen. Having the right numbers at your fingertips is critical. Use the app, or at least write them down somewhere you can reach them on the water.
Third, you'll want the essentials — where to find fuel, and where to grab a bite when the day's done.
LakeStatus.us is your companion for an enjoyable, safe day on the lake.
About the creator
LakeStatus was built by David Black, a lifelong software engineer. He spent 2000 to 2011 at Apple and has been building software and running systems ever since.
He is also a boater on Lake Lanier, and that is where this started. Wanting a real answer on the lake level and ramp conditions before hitching up the boat — rather than guessing — he built LakeStatus for Lanier first, then generalized it to every lake it covers today.
Honest data, by design
When a lake has surveyed ramp elevations, LakeStatus gives a definitive verdict per ramp. When it does not, the app does not fake one. Instead it shows a clearly labeled lake-level best-guess ("ramps likely usable — confirm with the managing agency") from the current level against the lake's normal operating band, and links you to that agency. We never assert a verdict we can't back.
Where the data comes from
Live lake levels come from the operators themselves:
- USGS NWIS instantaneous values for USACE lakes (~15-minute cadence).
- TVA's operating-guide feed for the TVA reservoirs.
- Georgia Power / Southern Company's published lake-level table.
- The USACE Tulsa District (SWT) gage feed.
- The USACE national CWMS Data API for the broader Corps fleet.
Ramp and bridge feature data comes from USACE district recreation sheets, the USACE national recreation-site inventory, and state wildlife and parks agencies (GA DNR Wildlife Resources Division, TWRA, NCWRC, KDFWR).
Please read this
LakeStatus is informational only. It is not for navigation safety. Feature elevations are derived from a USACE reference spreadsheet and lake levels from provisional data; values can change and are not survey-grade. Always confirm conditions before you go.