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lakeglance

OregonNatural lake, 13,146 acres, Klamath County

Crater Lake water level

Crater Lake, Oregon
Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0

Current level

6,165.47ft NGVD29

Reading from Oct 25, 2026

Well below normal for October

Past 24 hours
-0.06ft
Past 7 days
-0.17ft
Past 30 days
-0.62ft
vs typical October
-4.86ft

Crater Lake was at 6,165.47 ft on October 25, falling 0.17 ft over the past week. That is well below normal for October: the typical October level is 6,170.33 ft, so the lake is 4.86 ft below its usual mark.

Last 30 days

6165.56166.0Sep 24Oct 9Oct 24

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.

61656170JFMAMJJASOND

Recent daily readings

Crater Lake daily mean water level, newest first
DateLevel (ft NGVD29)Change
Oct 24, 20266,165.53-0.02
Oct 23, 20266,165.55-0.03
Oct 22, 20266,165.58-0.02
Oct 21, 20266,165.60-0.01
Oct 20, 20266,165.61-0.03
Oct 19, 20266,165.64-0.02
Oct 18, 20266,165.66-0.02
Oct 17, 20266,165.680.00
Oct 16, 20266,165.68-0.04
Oct 15, 20266,165.72-0.03
Oct 14, 20266,165.75-0.01
Oct 13, 20266,165.76-0.02
Oct 12, 20266,165.78-0.04
Oct 11, 20266,165.82-0.03

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 about 2 miles from the center of the lake and is listed by USGS as Crater Lake near Crater Lake, OR. 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.

Crater Lake water level questions

What is the water level at Crater Lake today?

Crater Lake was at 6,165.47 ft on October 25, falling 0.17 ft over the past week. That is well below normal for October: the typical October level is 6,170.33 ft, so the lake is 4.86 ft below its usual mark.

Is Crater Lake high or low right now?

Compared with the long-term record for October, the lake is well below normal. The October monthly average has ranged from 6,165.88 to 6,172.82 ft, with a typical value of 6,170.33 ft.

Is Crater Lake rising or falling?

Over the last seven days the level has fallen (-0.17 ft), and it is -0.62 ft compared with 30 days ago.

Where does the Crater Lake water level data come from?

From the U.S. Geological Survey, gauge 11492200 (Crater Lake near Crater Lake, OR). 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 Crater is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their water levels.