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OregonReservoir, 1,130 acres

Cougar Reservoir conditions today

Cougar Reservoir, Oregon
Photo: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives, Attribution

Right now on Cougar

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Best window

0pm to 0pm

score

Wind

00kt

Gusts 00

Direction

NE

Blowing from

Air temp

00°F

High

Rain

Dry

next 6 hours

Water level

1,528.25ft

Down 3.87 ft this week

Sailing

Checking

Reading the forecast

Kayak and SUP

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Reading the forecast

Power boating

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Reading the forecast

Fishing

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Reading the forecast

Hour by hour

Next 24 hours
Wind and gusts0 to 30+ ktScoreGood, caution, stay ashoreNightBest windowArrows point where the wind blows to.

Outlook. Monday: SSW wind 4 to 5 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 49°F, 100% chance of rain. Tuesday: WSW wind 4 to 5 kt, gusts to 7 kt, high near 49°F, 89% chance of rain.

7-day wind forecast

Live radar

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Radar will load here

LightHeavy

Last hour of NOAA MRMS radar, 1 km resolution. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, OpenMapTiles, OpenFreeMap.

Water level

1,528.25ft NGVD29

-3.87 ft in 7 days

62.80 ft below the October normal

Sep 24Oct 9Oct 24

Reading from Oct 26, 2026. Shaded band: range of October averages on record; dashed line is the typical level.

Cougar Reservoir was at 1,528.25 ft on October 26, falling 3.87 ft over the past week. That is below normal for October: the typical October level is 1,591.05 ft, so the lake is 62.80 ft below its usual mark.

Lake facts

Type
Reservoir
State
Oregon
Surface area
1,130 acres
USGS gauge
14159400, Cougar Lake near Rainbow, OR
Coordinates
44.1172° N, 122.2389° W

Background reading: Cougar Reservoir on Wikipedia

About Cougar Reservoir

Cougar Reservoir covers about 1,130 acres in Oregon and is classed as a reservoir.

We read the level from USGS gauge 14159400, listed as Cougar Lake near Rainbow, OR. Wind and weather come from the National Weather Service grid cell over the lake, so the numbers describe open water rather than the nearest airport.

It is big enough for a proper sail but small enough that waves rarely get serious. Gusts off the shoreline are usually the bigger story than wave height. Reservoir levels move with releases and inflow, so ramps and beaches can change week to week. The water level page tracks that day by day.

The go or no-go calls above are a starting point, not a guarantee. Read how we score conditions, and always check local rules and posted warnings before you launch.

Cougar Reservoir questions

Is it windy on Cougar Reservoir today?

The National Weather Service forecast for the lake from October 26: Monday: SSW wind 4 to 5 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 49°F, 100% chance of rain. The panel at the top of this page refreshes the current wind, gusts and direction when you open it and turns them into a call for sailing, paddling, power boating and fishing.

What is the water level at Cougar Reservoir right now?

Cougar Reservoir was at 1,528.25 ft on October 26, falling 3.87 ft over the past week. That is below normal for October: the typical October level is 1,591.05 ft, so the lake is 62.80 ft below its usual mark.

How big is Cougar Reservoir?

Cougar Reservoir covers about 1,130 acres (1.8 square miles) of surface water.

Nearby lakes

If Cougar is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their conditions.