Lake Gaston Guide - Lake Gaston River Level

Lake Gaston covers more than 20,000 acres, is about 34 miles long, has some 20 coves and 350 miles of shoreline. It is located at the border of Virginia and North Carolina. The lake was created in 1963 by the Virginia Electric and Power Company (now Dominion Virginia Power) to generate hydroelectric power.

Lake Gaston is the middle of three lakes created by impoundment of the Roanoke River. Waters from Kerr Lake Dam, at elevation 300 feet above sea level, flow into Lake Gaston which has a full pond elevation of 200 feet above sea level. Waters from Lake Gaston Dam flow downstream into smaller Roanoke Rapids Lake at normal full pond elevation of 132 feet above sea level.

Because regulations permit water level fluctuations of only one foot plus or minus from normal level, Lake Gaston enjoys relatively constant water levels. See below for the current level (relative to sea level).

The Lake Gaston is in two Virginia counties (Brunswick and Mecklenburg) and three North Carolina counties (Halifax, Northampton and Warren). Interstate 85 is to the west and Interstate 95 to the east.

Lake Gaston is well stocked with game fish which include striped bass (or rock fish), large mouth bass, crappie, sunfish and several varieties of catfish. Other species of fish sometimes caught are walleye, yellow perch and chain pickerel.

Lake Gaston should be within one foot of 200 feet above sea level. The only exceptions are for emergency situations including very heavy rains and unusual droughts.

river readings
[More Information on Lake Gaston From the National Weather Service]