Skip to content
lakeglance

ColoradoReservoir, 11,686 acres

John Martin Reservoir water level

John Martin Reservoir, Colorado
Photo: Jaywm, CC BY-SA 4.0

Current level

3,805.88ft NGVD29

Reading from Oct 26, 2026

Near normal for October

Past 24 hours
0.00ft
Past 7 days
+0.29ft
Past 30 days
+4.48ft
vs typical October
+4.21ft

John Martin Reservoir was at 3,805.88 ft on October 26, rising 0.29 ft over the past week. That is near normal for October: the typical October level is 3,801.67 ft, so the lake is 4.21 ft above its usual mark.

Last 30 days

380238043806typicalSep 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.

380038203840JFMAMJJASOND

Recent daily readings

John Martin Reservoir daily mean water level, newest first
DateLevel (ft NGVD29)Change
Oct 25, 20263,805.88+0.12
Oct 24, 20263,805.76+0.07
Oct 23, 20263,805.69+0.04
Oct 22, 20263,805.65+0.03
Oct 21, 20263,805.620.00
Oct 20, 20263,805.62+0.03
Oct 19, 20263,805.59-0.01
Oct 18, 20263,805.60-0.03
Oct 17, 20263,805.63-0.04
Oct 16, 20263,805.67-0.04
Oct 15, 20263,805.71-0.02
Oct 14, 20263,805.73-0.01
Oct 13, 20263,805.74-0.01
Oct 12, 20263,805.75-0.01

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.

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 John Martin Reservoir at Caddoa, CO. 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.

John Martin Reservoir water level questions

What is the water level at John Martin Reservoir today?

John Martin Reservoir was at 3,805.88 ft on October 26, rising 0.29 ft over the past week. That is near normal for October: the typical October level is 3,801.67 ft, so the lake is 4.21 ft above its usual mark.

Is John Martin Reservoir 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 3,792.26 to 3,842.77 ft, with a typical value of 3,801.67 ft.

Is John Martin Reservoir rising or falling?

Over the last seven days the level has risen (+0.29 ft), and it is +4.48 ft compared with 30 days ago.

Where does the John Martin Reservoir water level data come from?

From the U.S. Geological Survey, gauge 07130000 (John Martin Reservoir at Caddoa, CO). 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 John Martin is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their water levels.