Highest elevation lakes & reservoirs in by altitude
While lake levels can flucuate frequently based on several circumstances, the altitude/elevation of a lake is based on its normal water level, measured by the lake’s surface distance above sea level. For a reservoir, this water level is also known as “full pond” or “full pool”.Low lake levels can occur due to deliberate seasonal draw downs for irrigation or impending snow melt, reduced water inflows, drought and evaporation, residential or commercial water demands, and hydropower generation. Some lakes’ minimum and maximum elevations are virtually the same. Lakes that generate hydropower may vary by several feet – according to power demand. Lakes whose primary purpose is to prevent flooding can seasonally vary by 100 feet or more. When some lakes reach their minimum elevation, their boat ramps may not be long enough to permit boat access – and boats docked on shallow parts of the lake may end up on dry ground. In those cases, kayakers and shore-based anglers may be among the few happy recreational users of the lake.
A lake’s highest water level, measured by the lake’s surface distance above sea level, that can occur during flooding. A lake’s highest possible maximum elevation is usually the top of the lake’s dam or spillway. At lakes that include residential development, government regulations usually forbid the construction of homes below a lake’s maximum elevation.
You can find many of the world’s highest-elevated lakes on LakeLubbers. Lakes with the lowest elevations (known by LakeLubbers) are shown on the final page of that list. Note: For some lakes, "Altitude/Elevation" data is unknown, so this table may display fewer lakes than the total 2151 articles we have published for lakes.
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Below are lakes within Compared by highest altitude/elevation in feet. This list does not represent all lakes in , only the 2151 lake articles we have published on the LakeLubbers website.
Lake name  |
Elevation in feet |
Lake description |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Seed, GA (Georgia, Northeast Georgia Mountains Region, US South Region, USA) |
1,765 ft | Also known as Seed Lake, Lake Nacoochee If you’re looking for the perfect spot for a getaway vacation in the Northeast Georgia Mountain region, you need look no farther than Lake Seed. It’s… |
| Diamond Valley Lake, CA (California, Inland Empire Region, CA, US West Region, USA) |
1,756 ft | Also known as Diamond Valley Reservoir Diamond Valley Lake lies between two mountains in California’s Inland Empire tourism region. The 4,500-acre lake is Southern California’s newest and l… |
| Lake Pukaki, New Zealand (Christchurch - Canterbury Region, South Island, NZ, New Zealand, South Island, NZ) |
1,747 ft | Lake Pukaki in the Canterbury region of the South Island is a scenic delight. One of three glacial lakes that lie nearly parallel, the lake gets water… |
| South Holston Lake, VA (Blue Ridge Highlands, VA, East Tennessee, Tennessee, US South Region, USA, Virginia) |
1,742 ft | Also known as South Holston Reservoir An impoundment of the South Fork Holston River, South Holston Lake is an exceptional place to fish and boat. Straddling the Virginia and Tennessee sta… |
| Lake Pleasant, AZ (Arizona, North Central Arizona, US Southwest Region, USA) |
1,725 ft | Also known as New Lake Pleasant One of the finest water recreation areas in Arizona, Lake Pleasant is true to its name – a pleasant oasis in a desert setting. Lake Pleasant’s 9,200 s… |
| Blue Ridge Lake, GA (Georgia, Historic High Country Region, GA, US South Region, USA) |
1,691 ft | Also known as Lake Blue Ridge, Blue Ridge Reservoir Located some 90 miles north of Atlanta and near Blue Ridge, Georgia, Blue Ridge Lake has all the desirable qualities for lovers of outdoor excitement… |
| Lac Vieux Desert, MI/WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, Michigan, US Midwest Region, USA, Upper Peninsula Region, MI, Wisconsin) |
1,685 ft | Also known as Lac Vieux Lake Lac Vieux Desert is the French name for this 4,260-acre lake of Michigan and Wisconsin. The name was given by French fur trappers who were among the f… |
| Arrowhead Lake, PA (Northeastern Mountains Region, PA, Pennsylvania, US Mid-Atlantic Region, USA) |
1,674 ft | Tucked away in the beautiful Pocono Mountains, Arrowhead Lake is a private gated community in the Northeastern Mountains region of Pennsylvania. Loads… |
| Star Lake, WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
1,672 ft | Shaped more like a horseshoe than a star, Star Lake is a largely undeveloped 1,206-acre lake 10 miles north of Saint Germain in Vilas County, Wisconsi… |
| Indian Lake, NY (Adirondacks Region, NY, New York, US Mid-Atlantic Region, USA) |
1,651 ft | Surrounded by the grandeur of the Adirondack Mountains, Indian Lake, in northern New York’s Adirondack Vacation region, is a 4,365-acre lake well know… |
| Canton Lake, OK (Oklahoma, Red Carpet Country, OK, US Southwest Region, USA) |
1,626 ft | Canton Lake is an expansive body of water in northwestern Oklahoma’s Red Carpet Country (named for its red soil). The United States Army Corps of Engi… |
| Otter Lake WI (Lake Superior Northwoods Region, WI, US Midwest Region, USA, Wisconsin) |
1,625 ft | Also known as Eagle River Chain of Lakes Otter Lake is one of more than 1,300 lakes, 73 rivers and streams, and a half million acres of forest found within northeastern Wisconsin’s Vilas Coun… |