WashingtonReservoir, 3,595 acres
Yale Lake water level
Current level
472.00ft NGVD29
Reading from Oct 26, 2026
Below normal for October
- Past 24 hours
- -0.23ft
- Past 7 days
- -1.00ft
- Past 30 days
- 0.00ft
- vs typical October
- -2.89ft
Yale Lake was at 472.00 ft on October 26, falling 1.00 ft over the past week. That is below normal for October: the typical October level is 474.89 ft, so the lake is 2.89 ft below its usual mark.
Last 30 days
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.
Recent daily readings
| Date | Level (ft NGVD29) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 24, 2026 | 472.23 | -0.77 |
| Oct 23, 2026 | 473.00 | 0.00 |
| Oct 22, 2026 | 473.00 | +0.08 |
| Oct 21, 2026 | 472.92 | -0.70 |
| Oct 20, 2026 | 473.62 | +0.62 |
| Oct 19, 2026 | 473.00 | 0.00 |
| Oct 18, 2026 | 473.00 | +0.69 |
| Oct 17, 2026 | 472.31 | +0.31 |
| Oct 16, 2026 | 472.00 | 0.00 |
| Oct 15, 2026 | 472.00 | 0.00 |
| Oct 14, 2026 | 472.00 | -0.85 |
| Oct 13, 2026 | 472.85 | +0.62 |
| Oct 12, 2026 | 472.23 | +0.23 |
| Oct 11, 2026 | 472.00 | 0.00 |
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.
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 5 miles from the center of the lake and is listed by USGS as Yale Reservoir near Cougar, WA. 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.
Yale Lake water level questions
What is the water level at Yale Lake today?
Yale Lake was at 472.00 ft on October 26, falling 1.00 ft over the past week. That is below normal for October: the typical October level is 474.89 ft, so the lake is 2.89 ft below its usual mark.
Is Yale 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 469.37 to 477.32 ft, with a typical value of 474.89 ft.
Is Yale Lake rising or falling?
Over the last seven days the level has fallen (-1.00 ft), and it is 0.00 ft compared with 30 days ago.
Where does the Yale Lake water level data come from?
From the U.S. Geological Survey, gauge 14218480 (Yale Reservoir near Cougar, WA). 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 Yale is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their water levels.