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ColoradoReservoir, 423 acres, Conejos County

Platoro Reservoir water level

Platoro Reservoir, Colorado
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0

Current level

9,997.94ft NGVD29

Reading from Oct 26, 2026

Well above normal for October

Past 24 hours
+0.77ft
Past 7 days
+11.56ft
Past 30 days
+11.16ft
vs typical October
+20.78ft

Platoro Reservoir was at 9,997.94 ft on October 26, rising 11.56 ft over the past week. That is well above normal for October: the typical October level is 9,977.16 ft, so the lake is 20.78 ft above its usual mark.

Last 30 days

9980999010000typicalSep 25Oct 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.

996099801000010020JFMAMJJASOND

Recent daily readings

Platoro Reservoir daily mean water level, newest first
DateLevel (ft NGVD29)Change
Oct 26, 20269,997.80+0.63
Oct 25, 20269,997.17+1.70
Oct 24, 20269,995.47+3.44
Oct 23, 20269,992.03+4.81
Oct 22, 20269,987.22+0.96
Oct 21, 20269,986.26+0.01
Oct 20, 20269,986.25-0.13
Oct 19, 20269,986.38-0.46
Oct 18, 20269,986.84-0.41
Oct 17, 20269,987.25-0.35
Oct 16, 20269,987.60-0.33
Oct 15, 20269,987.93+0.34
Oct 14, 20269,987.59+0.84
Oct 13, 20269,986.75+0.40

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 USACE as Platoro Dam. 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.

Platoro Reservoir water level questions

What is the water level at Platoro Reservoir today?

Platoro Reservoir was at 9,997.94 ft on October 26, rising 11.56 ft over the past week. That is well above normal for October: the typical October level is 9,977.16 ft, so the lake is 20.78 ft above its usual mark.

Is Platoro Reservoir 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 9,959.69 to 10,005.15 ft, with a typical value of 9,977.16 ft.

Is Platoro Reservoir rising or falling?

Over the last seven days the level has risen (+11.56 ft), and it is +11.16 ft compared with 30 days ago.

Where does the Platoro Reservoir water level data come from?

From the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reading at Platoro Dam. 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 Platoro is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their water levels.