CaliforniaReservoir, 859 acres, Madera County
Hensley Lake water level
Current level
453.27ft NGVD29
Reading from Oct 26, 2026
Below normal for October
- Past 24 hours
- +0.09ft
- Past 7 days
- +0.58ft
- Past 30 days
- -0.19ft
- vs typical October
- -14.96ft
Hensley Lake was at 453.27 ft on October 26, rising 0.58 ft over the past week. That is below normal for October: the typical October level is 468.23 ft, so the lake is 14.96 ft below its usual mark.
Last 30 days
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.
Recent daily readings
| Date | Level (ft NGVD29) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 26, 2026 | 453.03 | -0.15 |
| Oct 25, 2026 | 453.18 | -0.02 |
| Oct 24, 2026 | 453.20 | +0.01 |
| Oct 23, 2026 | 453.19 | +0.06 |
| Oct 22, 2026 | 453.13 | +20.58 |
| Oct 21, 2026 | 432.55 | -45.32 |
| Oct 20, 2026 | 477.87 | +25.18 |
| Oct 19, 2026 | 452.69 | -0.11 |
| Oct 18, 2026 | 452.80 | -0.17 |
| Oct 17, 2026 | 452.97 | -0.10 |
| Oct 16, 2026 | 453.07 | -0.15 |
| Oct 15, 2026 | 453.22 | -0.02 |
| Oct 14, 2026 | 453.24 | +0.01 |
| Oct 13, 2026 | 453.23 | -0.16 |
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.
On a reservoir, a few feet of drop changes the shoreline more than you would think. Low water exposes stumps, sandbars and old roadbeds that are normally well under the hull, and some ramps end before the water does.
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 2 miles from the center of the lake and is listed by USACE as Hensley lake-Pool. 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.
Hensley Lake water level questions
What is the water level at Hensley Lake today?
Hensley Lake was at 453.27 ft on October 26, rising 0.58 ft over the past week. That is below normal for October: the typical October level is 468.23 ft, so the lake is 14.96 ft below its usual mark.
Is Hensley Lake high or low right now?
Compared with the long-term record for October, the lake is below normal. The October monthly average has ranged from 436.73 to 490.87 ft, with a typical value of 468.23 ft.
Is Hensley Lake rising or falling?
Over the last seven days the level has risen (+0.58 ft), and it is -0.19 ft compared with 30 days ago.
Where does the Hensley Lake water level data come from?
From the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reading at Hensley lake Pool. The Corps reports pool elevation, usually every hour, and early values can be revised after review.
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 Corps of Engineers each time you open it.
Nearby lakes
If Hensley is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their water levels.