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lakeglance

New YorkNatural lake, 13,097 acres, Chautauqua County

Chautauqua Lake water level

Chautauqua Lake, New York
Photo: Banderas, Public domain

Current level

1,307.95ft NGVD29

Reading from Oct 26, 2026

Near normal for October

Past 24 hours
0.00ft
Past 7 days
-0.05ft
Past 30 days
-0.22ft
vs typical October
-0.10ft

Chautauqua Lake was at 1,307.95 ft on October 26, holding steady over the past week (-0.05 ft). That is near normal for October: the typical October level is 1,308.05 ft, so the lake is 0.10 ft below its usual mark.

Last 30 days

1307.81308.01308.3typicalSep 25Oct 10Oct 25

Shaded band shows the lowest and highest October monthly averages on record. Dashed line is the typical October level.

Typical level through the year

Each bar spans the range of monthly averages on record for that month. The line marks the median. The orange dot is where the lake sits now.

1307.01308.01309.0JFMAMJJASOND

Recent daily readings

Chautauqua Lake daily mean water level, newest first
DateLevel (ft NGVD29)Change
Oct 25, 20261,307.95-0.01
Oct 24, 20261,307.96-0.01
Oct 23, 20261,307.97-0.01
Oct 22, 20261,307.980.00
Oct 21, 20261,307.98-0.01
Oct 20, 20261,307.99-0.01
Oct 19, 20261,308.00-0.01
Oct 18, 20261,308.01-0.02
Oct 17, 20261,308.03+0.01
Oct 16, 20261,308.02+0.03
Oct 15, 20261,307.99-0.01
Oct 14, 20261,308.000.00
Oct 13, 20261,308.000.00
Oct 12, 20261,308.000.00

Reading these numbers

Readings are elevations in feet above the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD29), the reference most older dam and lake charts use. If you compare with a newer chart in NAVD88, expect a difference of a few feet. Our glossary explains NGVD29 vs NAVD88.

Natural lake levels usually move slowly, following rain, snowmelt and evaporation. A rise after a wet week can flood low docks and beaches, while late-summer lows expose rocks and weed beds near shore.

The gauge is listed by USGS as Chautauqua Lake at Bemus Point NY. Wind can pile water up at one end of a big lake for a few hours, so short spikes on a windy day are normal.

Chautauqua Lake water level questions

What is the water level at Chautauqua Lake today?

Chautauqua Lake was at 1,307.95 ft on October 26, holding steady over the past week (-0.05 ft). That is near normal for October: the typical October level is 1,308.05 ft, so the lake is 0.10 ft below its usual mark.

Is Chautauqua Lake high or low right now?

Compared with the long-term record for October, the lake is near normal. The October monthly average has ranged from 1,306.88 to 1,308.69 ft, with a typical value of 1,308.05 ft.

Is Chautauqua Lake rising or falling?

Over the last seven days the level has held roughly steady (-0.05 ft), and it is -0.22 ft compared with 30 days ago.

Where does the Chautauqua Lake water level data come from?

From the U.S. Geological Survey, gauge 03013946 (Chautauqua Lake at Bemus Point NY). USGS publishes provisional readings every 15 to 60 minutes; they can be revised later after quality checks.

How often is this page updated?

The page itself is rebuilt every day with the latest daily values, and the current reading refreshes straight from the USGS each time you open it.

Nearby lakes

If Chautauqua is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their water levels.