Honestly, if you've ever stood on the edge of the Sam Wahl Recreation Area as the sun dips below those red canyon walls, you know Alan Henry isn't just a "reservoir." It’s a West Texas miracle. But lately, everyone's asking the same thing: what’s the alan henry water level doing right now?
It’s a fair question. In a region where "dry" is the default setting, keeping an eye on the pool elevation is practically a local sport. As of mid-January 2026, the lake is sitting at approximately 2,214.6 feet, which puts it about 5.3 feet below the conservation pool.
Is that bad? Not really.
For a lake that serves as a vital straw for the City of Lubbock, being at roughly 85.5% capacity is actually pretty solid. We’ve seen it much lower. While the 2025 calendar year was one of the warmest on record for the Hub City, a few well-timed "gully washers" in June helped keep the basin from looking like a dusty bowl.
The Real Numbers Behind the Water Level
Let’s talk shop for a second. The conservation pool—the "full" mark—is 2,220 feet above mean sea level. When the water hits that mark, it starts creeping toward the spillway. Right now, we’re a few steps down from that.
The current storage is hovering around 82,000 acre-feet. If you're trying to visualize that, think about 82,000 football fields covered in a foot of water. It sounds like a lot until you realize Lubbock can pull millions of gallons a day when the summer heat really starts cranking.
Water levels here fluctuate. It’s the nature of the beast. Typically, we see a swing of two to four feet a year. Seeing a five-foot drop in January isn't a "panic" situation, but it does change how you use the lake.
Why 2025 Changed the Game
Last year was weird. We had a bone-dry spring followed by a June that dumped over six inches of rain in some spots. That single month basically saved the recreational season. Without those storms, we’d likely be staring at a much lower alan henry water level today.
Most of the water comes from the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River. When it rains in the "draws" north and west of the dam, the lake reacts fast. You can sometimes see a rise of several feet in just a few days if the Justiceburg gauge starts screaming.
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What This Means for Your Fishing Trip
If you’re pulling the boat down from Amarillo or New Mexico, the water level is your best friend or your worst enemy. At five feet down, the lake looks different. The "flooded timber" that Alan Henry is famous for starts to poke its skeletal fingers out of the water.
Watch your prop. Seriously. When the level drops, those submerged humps and old fence lines in the river arms become hazardous.
- Crappie patterns: Right now, with the water temp around 46-49°F, the crappie are hanging out in that 25-35 foot range. They love the deep timber near the main channel.
- The Bass Factor: Alan Henry is a trophy bass factory. Even with the water down a bit, the rocky points are producing. You just have to fish a little tighter to the structure than you would at full pool.
- Boat Ramps: The good news? At 2,214 feet, the ramps at Sam Wahl are perfectly fine. You aren't going to be backing your trailer into the mud yet.
The Lubbock Connection
We can't talk about the alan henry water level without mentioning the 65-mile straw reaching out from Lubbock. The city depends on this lake for about 12-19% of its annual usage, depending on which wells are being serviced.
There's a massive elevation difference. Lubbock is roughly 1,000 feet higher than the lake. That requires three massive pump stations to push that water uphill. When the lake level drops significantly, it doesn't just hurt the fishing; it increases the "lift" and the energy cost of moving that water.
The city is already looking at "Phase 2" infrastructure, which could eventually double the amount of water they can pull. This makes the conservation of the current pool even more critical for long-term growth.
A Note on Mercury
While we’re talking about the water, it’s worth a quick reminder: there is still a consumption advisory in place. Because of the way the lake was flooded and the soil composition, certain species (like those big largemouths) can have elevated mercury levels. Catch and release is the name of the game for the big ones anyway.
Surprising Facts About the Dam
The John T. Montford Dam is a beast. It’s 138 feet high and over half a mile long. People often forget that this entire project was only finished in 1993. In terms of Texas lakes, it’s a youngster.
- Max Depth: Roughly 100 feet near the dam.
- Shoreline: 95 miles of rugged, winding coast.
- Visibility: It varies. Right now, it’s "murky to clear," with about 1-4 feet of visibility depending on which arm you’re in.
How to Track It Yourself
Don't just take my word for it. The water level changes daily based on evaporation (which is huge in the West Texas wind) and municipal pumping.
The best way to stay updated is through the Texas Water Development Board (Water Data for Texas) or the USGS Justiceburg gauge. They provide real-time updates. If you see the Justiceburg gauge spike above 10 feet after a rain, get ready—the lake is about to rise.
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If you’re planning a trip, check the wind forecast along with the level. A 30 mph south wind at Alan Henry can turn the main basin into a washing machine, regardless of how much water is in it.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Visit:
- Check the Ramps: Always verify the "current pool elevation" before heading out if the level drops below 2,205 feet, as some secondary access points can get hairy.
- Update Your Maps: If you use electronic charts like Navionics, make sure you've adjusted your "water level offset" to -5 feet to accurately see where the shallow spots are.
- Safety First: With the level down, the "forest" of dead trees is much closer to the surface. Stick to the buoyed channels when you're on plane.
- Prepare for Temps: January water is cold (low 40s). If you're wading or kayaking, a dry suit isn't a bad idea—the wind chill on the water is no joke.