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lakeglance

New YorkNatural lake, 2,965 acres, Onondaga County

Onondaga Lake water level

Onondaga Lake, New York
Photo: R. A. Nonenmacher, CC BY-SA 4.0

Current level

363.19ft NGVD29

Reading from Oct 26, 2026

Near normal for October

Past 24 hours
-0.03ft
Past 7 days
+0.18ft
Past 30 days
+0.10ft
vs typical October
0.00ft

Onondaga Lake was at 363.19 ft on October 26, rising 0.18 ft over the past week. That is near normal for October: the typical October level is 363.19 ft, so the lake is 0.00 ft above its usual mark.

Last 30 days

363.0363.5typicalSep 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.

364366368JFMAMJJASOND

Recent daily readings

Onondaga Lake daily mean water level, newest first
DateLevel (ft NGVD29)Change
Oct 25, 2026363.22-0.08
Oct 24, 2026363.300.00
Oct 23, 2026363.30+0.13
Oct 22, 2026363.17+0.06
Oct 21, 2026363.11+0.07
Oct 20, 2026363.04+0.03
Oct 19, 2026363.01-0.05
Oct 18, 2026363.06-0.13
Oct 17, 2026363.19-0.06
Oct 16, 2026363.25+0.17
Oct 15, 2026363.08+0.20
Oct 14, 2026362.880.00
Oct 13, 2026362.88-0.02
Oct 12, 2026362.900.00

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 listed by USGS as Onondaga Lake at Liverpool NY. 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.

Onondaga Lake water level questions

What is the water level at Onondaga Lake today?

Onondaga Lake was at 363.19 ft on October 26, rising 0.18 ft over the past week. That is near normal for October: the typical October level is 363.19 ft, so the lake is 0.00 ft above its usual mark.

Is Onondaga Lake high or low right now?

Compared with the long-term record for October, the lake is near normal. The October monthly average has ranged from 362.63 to 365.75 ft, with a typical value of 363.19 ft.

Is Onondaga Lake rising or falling?

Over the last seven days the level has risen (+0.18 ft), and it is +0.10 ft compared with 30 days ago.

Where does the Onondaga Lake water level data come from?

From the U.S. Geological Survey, gauge 04240495 (Onondaga Lake at Liverpool NY). 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 Onondaga is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their water levels.