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.

LPWPD is an acronym for Lake Poinsett Water Project District. The 7-member board of directors represents the political subdivision of the South Dakota Government and has the authority to take action and raise funds for lake projects.

The terms are for three years and you must be a registered voter in the LPWPD.

The Lake Poinsett Water Project District (LPWPD) was established by the SD Board of Water & Natural Resources in 1989.

The Water District looks for opportunities to obtain funding and work with other entities to secure grants. Significant grants facilitate working with local, regional government and state agencies to work with watershed residents and mitigate ongoing pollution of the Lake Poinsett watershed.

Board meetings are held at the Lake Region Golf Course every third Saturday at 9:00 AM from April through October. (See agenda on the website for any last-minute changes). The public is strongly encouraged to attend and have your opinion heard at the public meetings. Please send us an email to have your concerns added to the agenda for the next board meeting at lpwaterdistrict@gmail.com.

A mill levy is assessed in Hamlin and Brookings Counties on all properties within 1000’ of the Lake Poinsett shoreline. This appears as a line item on real estate tax statements.

Board meetings are held at the Lake Region Golf Course every third Saturday at 9:00 AM from April through October. (See agenda on the website for any last-minute changes). The public is strongly encouraged to attend and have your opinion heard at the public meetings. Please send us an email to have your concerns added to the agenda for the next board meeting at lpwaterdistrict@gmail.com.

Download an application from this site. Application for funding is required IN ADVANCE of beginning stabilization or rip-rap activity and approval of the plan. Funding for shoreline is limited to improved stabilization as opposed to restoration of failed stabilization. Funding can be considered for the difference between the initial failed stabilization level and a higher and more likely to be successful level. The elevation for expected long-term success has been raised due to the most recent flood levels and shoreline damage incurred. Current minimum elevation is 1658.5. Water board members will, upon request, visit the proposed stabilization site in advance, provide elevations and recommendations to facilitate successful stabilization and maximum incentive payments.

Funding for shoreline stabilization incentive is limited to one time per property. Funding can be considered for the difference between an initial failed stabilization effort and a proposed higher and more likely to be successful level. The elevation for expected long-term success has been raised due to the most recent flood levels and shor3eline damage. Previous minimum elevation was 16575. Current minimum elevation is 1658.5.

The District has, and will continue to, work to stabilize shorelines by offering an incentive program to those who qualify. The incentive program is designed to protect the lake from taking on soil and debris from the shore. The initiative is not designed to protect structures or lawns - it is to protect the lake from the ruins of failed stabilization and organic materials contained in soil and fill from surrounding property.

The Big Sioux water gathers harmful materials and chemicals from throughout its watershed including nitrogen and phosphorus. These, along with other factors, generate green and sometimes blue algae in Lake Poinsett.

Members of the Lake Poinsett Water Project District board are the only ones able to open/close the gate at the outlet.

Nitrogen and phosphorous are the two chemical elements found in lawn and crop fertilizers used around the lake and throughout the watershed area (several counties are included in the watershed) as well as sewage from septic tanks and livestock in the watershed. These contribute to the production of algae. The sanitary sewer system does not serve the north west third of Lake Poinsett at this time. There is no sanitary sewer on Lake Albert. We do not take water from the Big Sioux River since it has a higher concentration of nitrogen and phosphorous.

A team of Lake Poinsett Association volunteers (outside of the LPWPD board) take water samples and send them to the DENR for analysis. The water has been sampled and tested for the past several years. Results of water quality testing can be found on the LPA website.