CaliforniaNatural lake, 840 acres, Nevada County
Donner Lake water level
Current level
5,931.69ft NGVD29
Reading from Oct 26, 2026
Above normal for October
- Past 24 hours
- -0.13ft
- Past 7 days
- -0.81ft
- Past 30 days
- -1.34ft
- vs typical October
- +1.84ft
Donner Lake was at 5,931.69 ft on October 26, falling 0.81 ft over the past week. That is above normal for October: the typical October level is 5,929.85 ft, so the lake is 1.84 ft above 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 24, 2026 | 5,931.82 | -0.14 |
| Oct 23, 2026 | 5,931.96 | -0.14 |
| Oct 22, 2026 | 5,932.10 | -0.15 |
| Oct 21, 2026 | 5,932.25 | -0.10 |
| Oct 20, 2026 | 5,932.35 | -0.15 |
| Oct 19, 2026 | 5,932.50 | -0.13 |
| Oct 18, 2026 | 5,932.63 | -0.02 |
| Oct 17, 2026 | 5,932.65 | -0.02 |
| Oct 16, 2026 | 5,932.67 | -0.02 |
| Oct 15, 2026 | 5,932.69 | -0.02 |
| Oct 14, 2026 | 5,932.71 | -0.02 |
| Oct 13, 2026 | 5,932.73 | -0.02 |
| Oct 12, 2026 | 5,932.75 | -0.03 |
| Oct 11, 2026 | 5,932.78 | -0.01 |
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 1 miles from the center of the lake and is listed by USGS as Donner Lake near Truckee CA. 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.
Donner Lake water level questions
What is the water level at Donner Lake today?
Donner Lake was at 5,931.69 ft on October 26, falling 0.81 ft over the past week. That is above normal for October: the typical October level is 5,929.85 ft, so the lake is 1.84 ft above its usual mark.
Is Donner Lake high or low right now?
Compared with the long-term record for October, the lake is above normal. The October monthly average has ranged from 5,927.68 to 5,933.98 ft, with a typical value of 5,929.85 ft.
Is Donner Lake rising or falling?
Over the last seven days the level has fallen (-0.81 ft), and it is -1.34 ft compared with 30 days ago.
Where does the Donner Lake water level data come from?
From the U.S. Geological Survey, gauge 10338400 (Donner Lake near Truckee CA). 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 Donner is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their water levels.