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lakeglance

North CarolinaReservoir, 12,355 acres

Falls Lake conditions today

Falls Lake, North Carolina
Photo: MadeYourReadThis, CC BY-SA 4.0

Right now on Falls

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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 temp

66°F

Cool for swimming

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: NNE wind 0 to 2 kt, gusts to 5 kt, high near 71°F. Tuesday: NE wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 74°F.

7-day wind forecast

Live radar

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LightHeavy

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

Water level

Full report

245.74ft NGVD29

-0.41 ft in 7 days
Sep 25Oct 10Oct 25

Reading from Oct 26, 2026.

Falls Lake was at 245.74 ft on October 26, falling 0.41 ft over the past week. The gauge also reports a water temperature of 66°F.

Lake facts

Type
Reservoir
State
North Carolina
Surface area
12,355 acres
Elevation
249 ft
USGS gauge
02087182, Falls Lake above Dam near Falls, NC
Coordinates
36.0167° N, 78.7167° W

Background reading: Falls Lake on Wikipedia

About Falls Lake

Falls Lake covers about 12,355 acres in North Carolina and is classed as a reservoir. The water surface sits about 249 ft above sea level.

Water level on this page comes from USGS gauge 02087182 (Falls Lake above Dam near Falls, NC), about 9 mi from the middle of the lake. Wind, gusts and rain come from the National Weather Service forecast grid that covers the water.

With this much open water, waves build quickly when the wind lines up with the long axis of the lake. Pick a launch on the upwind shore on breezy days and the ride home is easier. 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.

Falls Lake questions

Is it windy on Falls Lake today?

The National Weather Service forecast for the lake from October 26: Monday: NNE wind 0 to 2 kt, gusts to 5 kt, high near 71°F. 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 Falls Lake right now?

Falls Lake was at 245.74 ft on October 26, falling 0.41 ft over the past week. The gauge also reports a water temperature of 66°F.

How big is Falls Lake?

Falls Lake covers about 12,355 acres (19 square miles) of surface water.

Nearby lakes

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