Lake Mendota At Madison

June 2 2023

9 ft

Water gage height, ft levels at Lake Mendota At Madison are currently 9 ft, about 96% of normal. The average for this time of year is approximately 10.09ft.

Maximum recorded Gage height, ft since record keeping began in 2007 was 2008-06-16 when levels reached 12.36 ft. Lowest recorded Gage height, ft was 2020-12-25 when levels receded to 7.93 ft.

Lake Mendota is a glacial lake located in Madison, Wisconsin with a surface area of 9,842 acres. The lake is over 450ft deep and is a popular location for fishing, ice skating, and water sports. The lake's hydrology is heavily influenced by precipitation, snowpack, and surface run-off from the surrounding land, which is primarily agricultural. The Yahara River is the primary surface flow provider and is responsible for over 90% of the water entering the lake. The lake has a rich history, with Native American tribes inhabiting the area for thousands of years before European settlement. In the early 20th century, the lake was heavily polluted, but efforts to reduce agricultural runoff and sewage have improved its water quality. Lake Mendota remains an important resource for fishing, recreation, and research in Wisconsin.