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lakeglance

CaliforniaNatural lake, 219,430 acres, Imperial County, Riverside County

Salton Sea water level

Salton Sea, California
Photo: The original uploader was Geographer at English Wikipedia ., CC BY 2.5

Current level

-244.00ft NGVD29

Reading from Sep 22, 2026

Well below normal for September

Past 24 hours
0.00ft
Past 7 days
-ft
Past 30 days
-ft
vs typical September
-14.50ft

Salton Sea was at -244.00 ft on September 22. That is well below normal for September: the typical September level is -229.50 ft, so the lake is 14.50 ft below its usual mark.

Last 30 days

-244.2-244.0-243.8Sep 21Sep 21Sep 22

Shaded band shows the lowest and highest September monthly averages on record. Dashed line is the typical September 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.

-245-240-235-230JFMAMJJASOND

Recent daily readings

Salton Sea daily mean water level, newest first
DateLevel (ft NGVD29)Change
Sep 22, 2026-244.000.00

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.

Natural lake levels usually move slowly, following rain, snowmelt and evaporation. A rise after a wet week can flood low docks and beaches, while late-summer lows expose rocks and weed beds near shore.

The gauge is about 16 miles from the center of the lake and is listed by USGS as Salton Sea near Westmorland CA. 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.

Salton Sea water level questions

What is the water level at Salton Sea today?

Salton Sea was at -244.00 ft on September 22. That is well below normal for September: the typical September level is -229.50 ft, so the lake is 14.50 ft below its usual mark.

Is Salton Sea high or low right now?

Compared with the long-term record for September, the lake is well below normal. The September monthly average has ranged from -243.00 to -227.00 ft, with a typical value of -229.50 ft.

Where does the Salton Sea water level data come from?

From the U.S. Geological Survey, gauge 10254005 (Salton Sea near Westmorland CA). 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 Salton Sea is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their water levels.