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New JerseyReservoir, 1,971 acres

Wanaque Reservoir water level

Wanaque Reservoir, New Jersey
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 3.0

Current level

290.74ft NGVD29

Reading from Oct 26, 2026

Above normal for October

Past 24 hours
-0.13ft
Past 7 days
-0.81ft
Past 30 days
-2.36ft
vs typical October
+6.19ft

Wanaque Reservoir was at 290.74 ft on October 26, falling 0.81 ft over the past week. That is above normal for October: the typical October level is 284.55 ft, so the lake is 6.19 ft above its usual mark.

Last 30 days

291.0292.0293.0Sep 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.

280300JFMAMJJASOND

Recent daily readings

Wanaque Reservoir daily mean water level, newest first
DateLevel (ft NGVD29)Change
Oct 25, 2026290.87-0.13
Oct 24, 2026291.00-0.10
Oct 23, 2026291.10-0.11
Oct 22, 2026291.21-0.13
Oct 21, 2026291.34-0.10
Oct 20, 2026291.44-0.11
Oct 19, 2026291.55-0.09
Oct 18, 2026291.64-0.07
Oct 17, 2026291.71-0.03
Oct 16, 2026291.74-0.08
Oct 15, 2026291.82-0.04
Oct 14, 2026291.86+0.01
Oct 13, 2026291.85+0.01
Oct 12, 2026291.84+0.05

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.

On a reservoir, a few feet of drop changes the shoreline more than you would think. Low water exposes stumps, sandbars and old roadbeds that are normally well under the hull, and some ramps end before the water does.

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 2 miles from the center of the lake and is listed by USGS as Wanaque Reservoir at Wanaque NJ. 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.

Wanaque Reservoir water level questions

What is the water level at Wanaque Reservoir today?

Wanaque Reservoir was at 290.74 ft on October 26, falling 0.81 ft over the past week. That is above normal for October: the typical October level is 284.55 ft, so the lake is 6.19 ft above its usual mark.

Is Wanaque Reservoir high or low right now?

Compared with the long-term record for October, the lake is above normal. The October monthly average has ranged from 273.37 to 301.16 ft, with a typical value of 284.55 ft.

Is Wanaque Reservoir rising or falling?

Over the last seven days the level has fallen (-0.81 ft), and it is -2.36 ft compared with 30 days ago.

Where does the Wanaque Reservoir water level data come from?

From the U.S. Geological Survey, gauge 01386990 (Wanaque Reservoir at Wanaque NJ). 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 Wanaque is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their water levels.