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lakeglance

CaliforniaReservoir, 2,700 acres, Sonoma County

Lake Sonoma water level

Lake Sonoma, California
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified or unknown, Public domain

Current level

444.18ft NGVD29

Reading from Oct 26, 2026

Well above normal for October

Past 24 hours
-0.07ft
Past 7 days
-0.56ft
Past 30 days
-2.58ft
vs typical October
+10.76ft

Lake Sonoma was at 444.18 ft on October 26, falling 0.56 ft over the past week. That is well above normal for October: the typical October level is 433.42 ft, so the lake is 10.76 ft above its usual mark.

Last 30 days

444.0445.0446.0447.0Sep 26Oct 11Oct 26

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.

400500600JFMAMJJASOND

Recent daily readings

Lake Sonoma daily mean water level, newest first
DateLevel (ft NGVD29)Change
Oct 26, 2026444.19-0.06
Oct 25, 2026444.25-0.09
Oct 24, 2026444.34-0.09
Oct 23, 2026444.43-0.07
Oct 22, 2026444.50-0.08
Oct 21, 2026444.58-0.08
Oct 20, 2026444.66-0.08
Oct 19, 2026444.74-0.09
Oct 18, 2026444.83-0.09
Oct 17, 2026444.92-0.10
Oct 16, 2026445.02-0.08
Oct 15, 2026445.10-0.09
Oct 14, 2026445.19-0.09
Oct 13, 2026445.28-0.09

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 about 3 miles from the center of the lake and is listed by USACE as Lk Sonoma-Pool. 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.

Lake Sonoma water level questions

What is the water level at Lake Sonoma today?

Lake Sonoma was at 444.18 ft on October 26, falling 0.56 ft over the past week. That is well above normal for October: the typical October level is 433.42 ft, so the lake is 10.76 ft above its usual mark.

Is Lake Sonoma high or low right now?

Compared with the long-term record for October, the lake is well above normal. The October monthly average has ranged from 383.90 to 444.39 ft, with a typical value of 433.42 ft.

Is Lake Sonoma rising or falling?

Over the last seven days the level has fallen (-0.56 ft), and it is -2.58 ft compared with 30 days ago.

Where does the Lake Sonoma water level data come from?

From the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reading at Lk Sonoma Pool. The Corps reports pool elevation, usually every hour, and early values can be revised after review.

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 Corps of Engineers each time you open it.

Nearby lakes

If Sonoma is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their water levels.