Skip to main content
Home

Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

Main Menu

  • EROS Home
  • Image Gallery
  • Video Library
  • Earthshots
  • Remote Sensing Classroom

Earthshots

  • Earthshots
    • Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA
      • Lake Levels Rise
      • Stump Lake
      • West Devils Lake
  • Download Cards
  • More Information
  • Contact Information
Earthshots Logo

Lake Levels Rise A Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA story

Dams  / 
Water
  1. Earthshots
  2. Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA
  3. Lake Levels Rise
Description

A general trend of above average precipitation in the region has caused Devils Lake to rise rapidly over the last few decades. If the lake reaches 1,458 feet (444.4 meters) above mean sea level, it will naturally overflow into the Sheyenne River, a tributary of the Red River. The North Dakota Geological Survey has determined that the lake has probably overflowed into the Sheyenne River only twice in the last 4,000 years.

These Landsat images clearly show the lake’s dramatic change. In 1993, the lake water level was 1,422.6 feet (433.6 meters) above mean sea level. The lake reached an all-time high of 1,454.4 feet (443.3 meters) above mean sea level in June 2011. In 1993, the lake covered about 44,000 acres (17,800 hectares)—it has expanded to over 211,000 acres (85,400 hectares).

Even though it is still a few feet from its overflow level, the lake’s rapid rise is a great concern for residents of the region. If the lake does reach its overflow level, natural flooding could cause considerable damage downstream. The loss of farmland caused by the rising water has already been devastating to local farmers.

Another concern is algae blooms. The 2018 images show blue-green algae discoloring the water. In a severe algae bloom, the water can resemble spilled green paint or green pea soup.

View Related Imagery & Stories

Location

Aug. 11, 1984, Landsat 5 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA

Aug. 11, 1984, Landsat 5 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA

Aug. 10, 1995, Landsat 5 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA

Aug. 10, 1995, Landsat 5 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA

Aug. 23, 2000, Landsat 5 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA

Aug. 23, 2000, Landsat 5 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA

Aug. 16, 2003, Landsat 5 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA

Aug. 16, 2003, Landsat 5 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA

Sep. 12, 2007, Landsat 5 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA

Sep. 12, 2007, Landsat 5 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA

Sep. 7, 2011, Landsat 5 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA

Sep. 7, 2011, Landsat 5 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA

Sep. 10, 2018, Landsat 8 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA

Sep. 10, 2018, Landsat 8 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA

Aug. 11, 1984, Landsat 5 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA
Aug. 10, 1995, Landsat 5 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA
Aug. 23, 2000, Landsat 5 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA
Aug. 16, 2003, Landsat 5 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA
Sep. 12, 2007, Landsat 5 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA
Sep. 7, 2011, Landsat 5 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA
Sep. 10, 2018, Landsat 8 (path/row 31/27) — Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA

Devils Lake, North Dakota, USA Additional Imagery & Stories

Stump Lake
Stump Lake

East of Devils Lake is Stump Lake. It becomes part of Devils Lake at a water level of about 1,447 feet (441 meters) above mean sea level. By the 2011 ...

Read More
West Devils Lake
West Devils Lake

One flood mitigation plan might be to encourage excess water from Devils Lake to flow through its natural overflow point into the Sheyenne River befor...

Read More
  • DOI Privacy Policy
  • Legal
  • Accessibility
  • Site Map
  • Contact USGS

  • U.S. Department of the Interior
  • DOI Inspector General
  • White House
  • E-gov
  • No Fear Act
  • FOIA