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OregonReservoir, 1,052 acres, Linn County

Foster Lake (Linn County, Oregon) water level

Foster Lake, Oregon
Photo: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives, Attribution

Current level

613.80ft NGVD29

Reading from Oct 26, 2026

Well below normal for October

Past 24 hours
+0.23ft
Past 7 days
+0.46ft
Past 30 days
-9.92ft
vs typical October
-17.30ft

Foster Lake was at 613.80 ft on October 26, rising 0.46 ft over the past week. That is well below normal for October: the typical October level is 631.10 ft, so the lake is 17.30 ft below its usual mark.

Last 30 days

620630typicalSep 24Oct 9Oct 24

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.

620630JFMAMJJASOND

Recent daily readings

Foster Lake daily mean water level, newest first
DateLevel (ft NGVD29)Change
Oct 24, 2026613.57+0.14
Oct 23, 2026613.43+0.04
Oct 22, 2026613.39-0.02
Oct 21, 2026613.41+0.04
Oct 20, 2026613.37+0.03
Oct 19, 2026613.34-0.02
Oct 18, 2026613.360.00
Oct 17, 2026613.360.00
Oct 16, 2026613.36-0.10
Oct 15, 2026613.46-0.34
Oct 14, 2026613.80-0.35
Oct 13, 2026614.15-0.33
Oct 12, 2026614.48-0.39
Oct 11, 2026614.87-0.44

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.

Reservoir levels are managed. Operators lower them ahead of flood season, hold them for summer recreation, and draw them down for dam work. When the lake falls well below its usual level, shallow points and stumps start showing up in places that are normally safe.

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 listed by USGS as Foster Lake at Foster, OR. 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.

Foster Lake water level questions

What is the water level at Foster Lake today?

Foster Lake was at 613.80 ft on October 26, rising 0.46 ft over the past week. That is well below normal for October: the typical October level is 631.10 ft, so the lake is 17.30 ft below its usual mark.

Is Foster Lake high or low right now?

Compared with the long-term record for October, the lake is well below normal. The October monthly average has ranged from 613.65 to 632.92 ft, with a typical value of 631.10 ft.

Is Foster Lake rising or falling?

Over the last seven days the level has risen (+0.46 ft), and it is -9.92 ft compared with 30 days ago.

Where does the Foster Lake water level data come from?

From the U.S. Geological Survey, gauge 14186600 (Foster Lake at Foster, OR). 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 Foster is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their water levels.