Big Lake Water Level
As of Jun 8, 2026, Big Lake measured 1017.43 ft — 1.6 in. above its summer target of 1017.30 ft.
| Date | Level (ft) | Change | vs target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 8, 2026 | 1017.43 | -0.07 | +0.13 |
| Jun 1, 2026 | 1017.50 | 0.00 | +0.20 |
| May 25, 2026 | 1017.50 | +0.18 | +0.20 |
| May 18, 2026 | 1017.32 | -0.03 | +0.02 |
| May 11, 2026 | 1017.35 | -0.13 | +0.05 |
| May 4, 2026 | 1017.48 | +0.02 | +0.18 |
| Apr 27, 2026 | 1017.46 | -0.22 | +0.16 |
| Apr 20, 2026 | 1017.68 | +0.17 | +0.38 |
| Apr 13, 2026 | 1017.51 | +0.23 | +0.81 |
| Apr 6, 2026 | 1017.28 | +0.18 | +0.58 |
Most recent published readings for Big Lake, sourced from Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner reports. Last updated Jun 15, 2026. "Change" is the difference from the previous reading; "vs target" compares each reading to the legal level then in effect.
About Big Lake
Big Lake is an inland lake in northern Oakland County, and one of 29 lakes whose water level is regulated by the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner (WRC). Its level is set by court order under Michigan's Inland Lake Level Act, which means the surface elevation is held to defined seasonal targets rather than left to drift with the weather. This page gathers the WRC's official gauge readings for Big Lake and charts them next to local conditions so residents can track the lake at a glance.
Big Lake legal water levels
Big Lake is managed between two legal elevations — a summer target of 1017.30 feet and a winter target of 1016.70 feet above sea level, a difference of about 7.2 inches. The higher summer level supports boating, swimming, and dock use; the lower winter level leaves room for snowmelt and spring rain and reduces the chance of ice damage along the shoreline. Moving the lake between the two is the core of what the WRC's level order requires.
Where is Big Lake?
Geographically, Big Lake is centered near 42.746° N, 83.493° W, placing it in northern Oakland County. Its surface sits at about 1,017.3 feet above sea level. For a closer look at the shoreline and nearby roads, open Big Lake in Google Maps.
Seasonal water-level rhythm at Big Lake
Across the year Big Lake follows the familiar Michigan pattern. Snowmelt and spring rain push the lake up toward its 1017.30-foot summer target; summer heat, evaporation, and managed outflow ease it back; and heading into winter the WRC draws it down toward 1016.70 feet. Where the latest reading falls between those two marks is a quick read on whether the lake is running high or low for the date.
What level changes mean for Big Lake shoreline owners
For anyone who owns or uses property on Big Lake, the level is more than a number. Readings well below the summer target can leave shallow docks and launches high and dry, while readings above it can submerge fixed docks and put extra load on seawalls. Sustained extremes also affect shoreline erosion, swimming depth, and the near-shore weed and fish habitat — the very reasons the legal target exists.
How Oakland County manages lake water levels
The Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner — currently Jim Nash — is responsible for maintaining the legal water levels of monitored lakes in the county. The WRC operates and maintains a network of small dams, weirs, and lake-level control structures, and contracts survey teams to read each lake's reference gauge regularly.
Reading frequency varies by season: during the active spring–autumn window the WRC typically publishes a report every one to three weeks, scaling back through the winter when ice and stable inflows make daily fluctuations smaller. The numbers shown on this dashboard come directly from those official reports — we re-publish and plot them so trends are easier to see than scrolling through PDFs.
If you ever spot a reading on this page that looks suspicious, the authoritative source is the WRC's own bulletin. Long-term trends (multiple months) matter more for management decisions than any individual measurement, which can drift slightly from week to week depending on gauge accuracy, weather, and the time of day a reading was taken.
Frequently asked questions
How often is the data on this page updated?
Our automated scraper checks the Oakland County WRC's published reports twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday evenings) during the active reporting season. When a new reading is posted by the county, this dashboard reflects it within a few hours. During winter the WRC reports less frequently, so updates may be sparse.
What does "legal water level" mean for Big Lake?
A legal level is one set by a judge under Michigan's Inland Lake Level Act (Part 307 of Public Act 451). For Big Lake the order specifies the summer and winter elevations shown above. The WRC and the lake's improvement board are jointly responsible for taking reasonable steps to maintain those levels through dam operation and outflow control.
What can I do if I think the water level is wrong?
Bring it up with your Lake Improvement Board or contact the Oakland County WRC directly. Individual weekly readings can be off by a fraction of an inch due to gauge tolerance, but a clear weeks-long trend is what calls for action.
Where does this data come from?
All readings shown here are aggregated from publicly published reports of the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner. The original PDF bulletins are available on oakgov.com. We add nothing to the source numbers — we only re-format and plot them.
Is this an official county website?
No. LakeWatch is an independent community resource. It is not affiliated with Oakland County, the Water Resources Commissioner's office, or any specific Lake Improvement Board. The data is sourced from public records and republished as a courtesy to lakefront residents and visitors.
Other Oakland County lakes
LakeWatch monitors 29 inland lakes across Oakland County, Michigan. If you live on, fish, or boat a different lake nearby, jump straight to its dashboard: