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lakeglance

West VirginiaReservoir, 1,359 acres, Monongalia County

Cheat Lake water level

Cheat Lake, West Virginia
Photo: Brian M. Powell (user Bitmapped on en.wikipedia ), CC BY-SA 3.0

Current level

869.65ft NGVD29

Reading from Oct 26, 2026

Well above normal for October

Water temperature 50°F

Past 24 hours
+0.43ft
Past 7 days
+0.46ft
Past 30 days
+0.39ft
vs typical October
+1.05ft

Cheat Lake was at 869.65 ft on October 26, rising 0.46 ft over the past week. That is well above normal for October: the typical October level is 868.60 ft, so the lake is 1.05 ft above its usual mark. The gauge also reports a water temperature of 50°F.

Last 30 days

868.5869.0869.5typicalSep 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.

863865868870JFMAMJJASOND

Recent daily readings

Cheat Lake daily mean water level, newest first
DateLevel (ft NGVD29)Change
Oct 25, 2026869.22+0.31
Oct 24, 2026868.91+0.18
Oct 23, 2026868.73-0.12
Oct 22, 2026868.85-0.18
Oct 21, 2026869.03-0.15
Oct 20, 2026869.18-0.01
Oct 19, 2026869.19-0.23
Oct 18, 2026869.42+0.14
Oct 17, 2026869.28+0.29
Oct 16, 2026868.99-0.08
Oct 15, 2026869.07+0.32
Oct 14, 2026868.75-0.64
Oct 13, 2026869.39+0.45
Oct 12, 2026868.94+0.07

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.

Reservoir levels are managed. Operators lower them ahead of flood season, hold them for summer recreation, and draw them down for dam work. When the lake falls well below its usual level, shallow points and stumps start showing up in places that are normally safe.

High water brings its own problems: floating debris after storms, flooded docks and courtesy piers, and no-wake rules near flooded campgrounds. A quick look at the trend before you hitch up saves a wasted trip.

The gauge is about 3 miles from the center of the lake and is listed by USGS as Cheat Lake near Stewartstown, WV. 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.

Cheat Lake water level questions

What is the water level at Cheat Lake today?

Cheat Lake was at 869.65 ft on October 26, rising 0.46 ft over the past week. That is well above normal for October: the typical October level is 868.60 ft, so the lake is 1.05 ft above its usual mark. The gauge also reports a water temperature of 50°F.

Is Cheat Lake high or low right now?

Compared with the long-term record for October, the lake is well above normal. The October monthly average has ranged from 867.91 to 868.84 ft, with a typical value of 868.60 ft.

Is Cheat Lake rising or falling?

Over the last seven days the level has risen (+0.46 ft), and it is +0.39 ft compared with 30 days ago.

Where does the Cheat Lake water level data come from?

From the U.S. Geological Survey, gauge 03071590 (Cheat Lake near Stewartstown, WV). 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 Cheat is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their water levels.