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lakeglance

CaliforniaReservoir, 11,441 acres

Folsom Lake conditions today

Folsom Lake, California
Photo: JazzD, Public domain

Right now on Folsom

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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 level

400.39ft

Down 1.77 ft this week

Sailing

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Reading the forecast

Kayak and SUP

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Power boating

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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: S wind 2 to 8 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 67°F. Tuesday: SW wind 3 to 4 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 64°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

400.39ft NGVD29

-1.77 ft in 7 days

7.30 ft below the October normal

Sep 26Oct 11Oct 26

Reading from Oct 25, 2026. Shaded band: range of October averages on record; dashed line is the typical level.

Folsom Lake was at 400.39 ft on October 25, falling 1.77 ft over the past week. That is near normal for October: the typical October level is 407.69 ft, so the lake is 7.30 ft below its usual mark.

Lake facts

Type
Reservoir
State
California
Surface area
11,441 acres
Elevation
466 ft
Volume
976,099 acre-ft
Dam completed
1948
Operator
United States Bureau of Reclamation
Level source
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Folsom Dam and Lake
Coordinates
38.7206° N, 121.1339° W

Background reading: Folsom Lake on Wikipedia

About Folsom Lake

Folsom Lake covers about 11,441 acres in California and is classed as a reservoir. Its dam was completed in 1948, and the lake is operated by United States Bureau of Reclamation. The water surface sits about 466 ft above sea level.

Water level on this page comes from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reading at Folsom Dam and Lake, published through the Corps' CWMS data service. 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.

Folsom Lake questions

Is it windy on Folsom Lake today?

The National Weather Service forecast for the lake from October 26: Monday: S wind 2 to 8 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 67°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 Folsom Lake right now?

Folsom Lake was at 400.39 ft on October 25, falling 1.77 ft over the past week. That is near normal for October: the typical October level is 407.69 ft, so the lake is 7.30 ft below its usual mark.

How big is Folsom Lake?

Folsom Lake covers about 11,441 acres (18 square miles) of surface water.

Who manages Folsom Lake?

Folsom Lake is operated by United States Bureau of Reclamation. Boating rules, closures and ramp hours come from the operator and the state wildlife agency.

When was Folsom Lake built?

The dam that forms Folsom Lake was completed in 1948.

Nearby lakes

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