Frequently asked questions
There is no 'normal' level of the lake as it can vary depending upon a number of factors.
Government entities have determined the 'full level' to be at 1,651.5'.
Lake level is taken near the far north east area of the lake at the outlet on the lake side of 459th Ave Bridge. https://water.noaa.gov
You can determine the current lake level at the following site: https://water.noaa.gov
Be sure to look at the Lake Poinsett/Big Sioux River Outlet level as this is the reading closest to determining Lake Poinsett's actual level.
This gauge is located at the outlet leading to the Big Sioux River.
There is one outlet at the far north east corner at the lake where it flows to the Big Sioux River.
The primary inlet is from Lake Albert where it flows beneath highway 81 about a half mile north of Sioux Land.
A second inlet is from Dry Lake under Stone Bridge on Highway 28.
Several other small inlets are around the lake that generally only produce incoming water after heavy rainfall.
The level is not always 100% accurate since debris in the lake, a sandbar, wind and ice can all cause the level measurements to be scewed.
Several factors affect lake levels including rain, snow, evaporation, runoff from upstream bodies of water including Lake Albert, Lake Norden, and Dry Lake.
The Big Sioux River level must be at a lower level than the Lake Poinsett level before the gates will be opened to release Poinsett water.
The Big Sioux River level must be at a lower level than the Lake Poinsett level before the gates will be opened to release Poinsett water.
Generally speaking, the water typically goes down through the winter.
This of course is dependant on temperatures, snowfall , ice, development of a sand bar and incoming water.
Upstream there is a gauge at Castlewood (approximately 6 miles upstream).
Downstream there is a gauge located just west of Estelline near Highway 28 (approximately 10 miles downstream).
The Big Sioux River is a slow moving river with a slope of approximately one foot per mile! There are approximately 10 miles of river between Lake Poinsett and Estelline so it takes a while. The rate of incoming water does affect the outgoing flow of water.