05/08/2026
Rough River Lake is definitely low right now, but it’s important to understand why.
The Corps of Engineers recently stated the current low water levels are primarily due to drought conditions and lack of rainfall across the region… Not construction activity at the dam.
Normally, March and April are when the lake really starts to come up, but this year that spring refill just never happened. If you look at previous years, the lake usually makes a big climb this time of year.
The good news is the lake can also come up faster than people think once we start getting consistent rainfall across the watershed. Last year showed just how quickly conditions can change when that pattern shifts.
For now, just be cautious on the water, watch for shallow areas and submerged hazards, and hopefully we start seeing some steady rain soon.
