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Reservoir•North Dakota Lakes•McLean, Mercer, Mountrail, Dunn, McKenzie, Williams County

Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota: Map, Depth, Size & Information

Comprehensive hydrographic guide to Lake Sakakawea featuring verified USGS & USACE water statistics, interactive topographic mapping, shoreline facilities, boating ramps, and game fisheries.

Directions
Surface Area
382,000 acres
1545.9 km²
Max Depth
180 feet
54.9 m
Elevation
1,837 feet
560 m ASL
Shoreline
1,340 miles
2157 km
Coordinates
47.500°, -101.400°
GPS WGS84
Verification
Official Data
2026-03-02
Live Hydrographic & Conditions Telemetry

Lake Sakakawea Live Water Level Status & Wind Conditions

Reservoir Hydrography
Water Level Status & Capacity
Current Water Elevation
1,834.18 ft
Normal Full Pool: 1,837.00 ft
Below Full Pool
Difference from Full Pool
-2.82 ft(below)
Reservoir Waterline & Storage Capacity90.4% of Conservation Pool
0%
25%
50%
75%
100% Full
Full Pool: 1,837.00 ft
24h Change: +0.06 ft / 24hEst. Volume: 22,446,320 acre-ft
Inflow Rate
10,397 cfs
River tributaries
Dam Outflow
8,795 cfs
Hydro & spillway
Water Temp
57°F
Surface layer
Water Clarity
21.8 ft
Secchi disc depth
Hydrologic balance: Current net flow is +1,602 cfs (Gaining volume). Water level is rising at 0.06 ft per day.
Atmospheric & Surface
Live Wind & Wave Simulator
Caution for Small Craft
Nautical Wind Compass Rose
NESW
NW 317°
18 mph
Gusts: 29 mph
Blowing from NW (317°) at 18 mph
Surface Wave Conditions1.5 ft wave height
Moderate Chop (1.0 - 2.0 ft)
Whitecap Chop & Swell
Barometer
29.91 inHg
Steady pressure
Solunar Bite
Moderate Activity
High game fish bite
Hourly Forecast Timeline Scrubber:12 PM • 18 mph NW
Calculate Water Level & Volume ChangesModel acre-feet storage loss, shoreline recession, and drought reserve projections for Lake Sakakawea.
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Interactive Map of Lake Sakakawea

47.5000° N, 101.4000° W|Get Directions
Centroid Coordinates: 47.5° N, -101.4° WOpen Directions in Maps

Where is Lake Sakakawea?

Lake Sakakawea is located in McLean, Mercer, Mountrail, Dunn, McKenzie, Williams County in the state of North Dakota, at geographical coordinates 47.5000° North latitude and 101.4000° West longitude. The water body lies at a surface elevation of approximately 1,837 feet (560 meters) above mean sea level.

Nearby Cities & Distances

Riverdale
2 miles away
Garrison
8 miles away
New Town
10 miles away
Bismarck
65 miles away
Minot
50 miles away

About Lake Sakakawea

Prairie badland bluffs overlooking the vast waters of Lake Sakakawea North Dakota
Reservoir • Missouri River Pick-Sloan ReservoirVerified 2026-03-02

Lake Sakakawea is the third-largest artificial reservoir in the United States by surface area (382,000 acres) and second-largest by water volume, created by Garrison Dam on the Missouri River. Stretching 178 miles through rugged North Dakota prairie badlands, the lake was named in honor of the Shoshone woman Sakakawea who guided the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Hydrographic Classification:

Lake Sakakawea is categorized as a Missouri River Pick-Sloan Reservoir. Its designated primary authorized uses include Flood Risk Management, Hydroelectric Power (Garrison Dam), Irrigation, Recreation, Navigation.

Activities & Recreation

Sport Fishing

Lake Sakakawea is known for its resident game fish species. Common targets include:

WalleyeNorthern PikeChinook SalmonSmallmouth BassSaugerChannel Catfish
Boating & Watersports

Popular watercraft activities permitted across regulated channels:

Walleye & Northern Pike FishingSailboatingBadlands CampingSalmon TrollingWater Skiing

Boat Ramps, Marinas & Public Parks

Marinas (3)

  • •Garrison Bay Marina
  • •Fort Stevenson Marina
  • •Dakota Waters Resort Marina

Public Boat Launches (3)

  • •Fort Stevenson State Park Ramp
  • •Lake Sakakawea State Park Ramp
  • •Sportsmen's Centennial Park Launch

Parks & Recreation (3)

  • •Lake Sakakawea State Park
  • •Fort Stevenson State Park
  • •Garrison Creek Recreation Area

Boating Safety, Wake Zones & Aquatic Regulations

• Speed & Wake Buffer Zones:

A mandatory 100-to-200-foot no-wake zone is enforced around all public boat launches, designated swimming areas, private docks, and moored vessels. Vessel operators must maintain idle speed in narrow coves and bridge passes.

• Safety Gear & AIS Protocol:

Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, or III PFDs are required for all vessel occupants. To prevent aquatic invasive species (quagga mussels, hydrilla), boaters must adhere to Clean, Drain, and Dry inspection procedures prior to launching.

Seasonal Fishing Patterns for Lake Sakakawea

Spring (March – May)Pre-Spawn & Spawn

Game fish move into sheltered secondary coves, shallow flats (4–12 ft depth), and creek mouths as surface temperatures climb into the 50s and 60s. Target submerged timber, riprap, and emerging vegetation with spinnerbaits, suspending jerkbaits, and soft plastics.

Summer (June – August)Thermocline & Main Basin

Predators retreat to deep underwater humps, main river channel ledges, and thermocline layers (20–45 ft). Peak activity shifts to dawn, dusk, and night trolling. Use deep-diving crankbaits, spoons, drop-shots, and downrigger spreads.

Autumn (Sept – November)Fall Turnover & Feeding Blitz

Cooling weather triggers lake turnover and intense schooling feeding. Bass, trout, and walleye push baitfish into primary points and pocket coves. Fast-moving topwater plugs, lipless crankbaits, and swimbaits produce explosive strikes.

Winter (Dec – February)Deep Suspension & Ice

Fish consolidate around deep wintering holes (40–80+ ft) or under safe solid ice on northern waterways. Slow finesse presentations—vertical jigging spoons, blade baits, and live bait rigs—dominate the cold-water season.

Lake Sakakawea Statistics & Hydrography

MeasurementImperial ValueMetric Equivalent
Surface Area382,000 acres1545.9 km²
Maximum Depth180 feet54.9 meters
Average Depth65 feet19.8 meters
Water Surface Elevation1,837 feet above sea level560 meters
Shoreline Length1,340 miles2157 km
Lake ClassificationReservoir (Missouri River Pick-Sloan Reservoir)
GPS Coordinates47.5000° N, 101.4000° W

Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Sakakawea

7 verified answers
How long is Lake Sakakawea?+
Lake Sakakawea stretches 178 miles along the Missouri River valley, featuring more than 1,340 miles of coastline.
How deep is Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota?+
Lake Sakakawea reaches a verified maximum depth of 180 feet (55 meters), with an estimated mean operating depth of approximately 65 feet (20 meters). The lake bathymetry features typical reservoir bottom topography with distinct drop-offs, deep submerged channels, and shallow littoral zones that support aquatic vegetation and forage species.
What is the surface area, shoreline length, and elevation of Lake Sakakawea?+
At normal conservation pool, Lake Sakakawea covers approximately 382,000 surface acres (about 596.9 square miles or 1545.9 km²) at an elevation of 1,837 feet above sea level. The shoreline extends for 1,340 miles (2,157 km) throughout McLean, Mercer, Mountrail, Dunn, McKenzie, Williams County, featuring numerous sheltered coves and bays.
What game fish can you catch in Lake Sakakawea?+
Anglers on Lake Sakakawea target Walleye, Northern Pike, Chinook Salmon, Smallmouth Bass, Sauger, Channel Catfish. Peak fishing occurs during spring spawning runs in shallow bays and submerged timber, followed by summer deep-water trolling near thermocline depths and structural humps. Autumn brings aggressive feeding activity along windward points.
Can you boat on Lake Sakakawea and where are the public ramps?+
Yes, recreational boating is permitted on Lake Sakakawea. Public boat launch facilities include Fort Stevenson State Park Ramp, Lake Sakakawea State Park Ramp, Sportsmen's Centennial Park Launch. Full-service marinas including Garrison Bay Marina and Fort Stevenson Marina offer slip rentals, marine fuel, and boat repair services. Boaters must adhere to state navigation laws, maintain required life jackets and safety gear, and respect posted no-wake zones near docks, coves, and designated swimming beaches.
Who manages Lake Sakakawea and are there campgrounds or parks nearby?+
Lake Sakakawea is managed and monitored in coordination with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Omaha District). Lakeside recreation areas and campgrounds include Lake Sakakawea State Park, Fort Stevenson State Park, Garrison Creek Recreation Area. Visitors can take advantage of developed campgrounds with tent and RV hookups, scenic hiking trails, day-use picnic areas, and boat launch access.
Where does the data for Lake Sakakawea come from and how is it verified?+
All hydrographic statistics, water surface elevation gauges, surface acreage measurements, and bathymetric soundings for Lake Sakakawea are cross-referenced from authoritative federal and state geospatial databases, primarily U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Omaha District) and the USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). Records undergo programmatic sanity verification and were last verified on 2026-03-02. Detailed ingestion pipelines, calibration procedures, and agency citations are published on our Data Methodology page (/methodology/).
Review Full Data Methodology & Verification Guidelines
Authoritative Data Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Omaha District)
Last verified: 2026-03-02 • Record ID: lake-sakakawea-nd
View Official Source

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