Lake Levels?

i dont quite understand lake level numbers. When it says the water is at winter pool and it has a number beside it like 625 what does that number mean. Surely the lake is not 625 feet deep? jw thanks

The number is the elevation above sea level (in feet) at the surface of the lake.

thanks

If you get used to what a lake looks like at normal pool you can determine if certain fishing spots will be on. Find out what the measurement above sea level is at in normal Winter Pool/Summer Pool and remember what that lake looks like/fishing spots then you can do a simple math equation(addition or subtraction) to see if the lake is up or down and by how many feet by what the current level says it at. It also helps to know what the discharge rate is for some lakes. When the discharge rate is higher than normal that creates current. Current alot of time turns the fishing on.