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lakeglance

ArizonaReservoir, 13,059 acres, Gila County, Graham County, Pinal County

San Carlos Lake water level

San Carlos Lake, Arizona
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Bobby~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public domain

Current level

2,423.44ft (gage datum)

Reading from Oct 25, 2026

Below normal for October

Past 24 hours
+1.21ft
Past 7 days
+2.95ft
Past 30 days
+17.43ft
vs typical October
-16.91ft

San Carlos Lake was at 2,423.44 ft on the gage on October 25, rising 2.95 ft over the past week. That is below normal for October: the typical October level is 2,440.35 ft, so the lake is 16.91 ft below its usual mark.

Last 30 days

24202440typicalSep 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.

240024502500JFMAMJJASOND

Recent daily readings

San Carlos Lake daily mean water level, newest first
DateLevel (ft (gage datum))Change
Oct 24, 20262,422.23+0.92
Oct 23, 20262,421.31+0.56
Oct 22, 20262,420.75+0.23
Oct 21, 20262,420.520.00
Oct 20, 20262,420.52+0.03
Oct 19, 20262,420.49+0.03
Oct 18, 20262,420.460.00
Oct 17, 20262,420.46-0.07
Oct 16, 20262,420.53+0.01
Oct 15, 20262,420.52+0.02
Oct 14, 20262,420.50+0.01
Oct 13, 20262,420.49+0.06
Oct 12, 20262,420.43+0.04
Oct 11, 20262,420.39+0.07

Reading these numbers

This gauge reports gage height, measured against a local reference point at the station rather than sea level. The number is useful for tracking rises and drops, but it is not an elevation, so do not compare it with charts that list elevations above sea level.

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 6 miles from the center of the lake and is listed by USGS as San Carlos Reservoir at Coolidge Dam, AZ. 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.

San Carlos Lake water level questions

What is the water level at San Carlos Lake today?

San Carlos Lake was at 2,423.44 ft on the gage on October 25, rising 2.95 ft over the past week. That is below normal for October: the typical October level is 2,440.35 ft, so the lake is 16.91 ft below its usual mark.

Is San Carlos Lake high or low right now?

Compared with the long-term record for October, the lake is below normal. The October monthly average has ranged from 2,406.74 to 2,491.21 ft, with a typical value of 2,440.35 ft.

Is San Carlos Lake rising or falling?

Over the last seven days the level has risen (+2.95 ft), and it is +17.43 ft compared with 30 days ago.

Where does the San Carlos Lake water level data come from?

From the U.S. Geological Survey, gauge 09469000 (San Carlos Reservoir at Coolidge Dam, AZ). 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 San Carlos is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their water levels.