Cherry Lake water level
▼ 2.8 points from 89.6% a year ago
Source: waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-11277200, accessed October 1, 2026. Updated every 6 hours.
Cherry Lake is at 86.7% of full pool (4681.76 ft) as of September 29, 2026. Cherry Lake was last full on July 10, 2026 (95.1% of normal storage). Cherry Lake is near Groveland, California. It has restrooms, picnic area, and boat launch, managed by USDA Forest Service - Stanislaus National Forest. Check current swimming advisories at Stanislaus National Forest alerts (USDA Forest Service) before you go.
Cherry Lake level history
This site counts a reservoir as full on a day its storage is at or above 95% of the dam's normal storage (National Inventory of Dams). Many reservoirs rarely reach 100%, even in wet years, because operators release water for irrigation, power or flood control before they fill, so this site treats 95% as full. Highs and lows are daily readings in the published data, not official records. Source: USGS daily data.
Storage, % of full pool, since 1956
Cherry Lake has held roughly steady since the previous reading (September 27, 2026).
On this same date last year (September 28, 2025), Cherry Lake was 89.6% full, 2.9 percentage points higher than today's 86.7%.
Weekly averages of the source's daily readings; older years may be monthly or sparser where that is all the source published. Download the charted data (JSON).
Cherry Lake map
Cherry Lake is at 37.9758, -119.9141. Open in OpenStreetMap.
The dam
- Hydropower
- Irrigation
- Water supply
Sources: nid.sec.usace.army.mil, accessed September 29, 2026
Visiting Cherry Lake
- Restrooms
- Picnic area
- Boat launch
Cherry Valley Campground is signed near Cottonwood Road (Forest Road 1N04). Lake camping restricted to 100 ft above high water line. California Campfire Permit required for dispersed campfires. No cell, fuel, grocery, or potable water services at the lake.
Good to know:
- Largest lake on Stanislaus National Forest. Visitors boat, swim, fish, and hike. Check forest alerts for fire restrictions.
- Cherry Lake Road from Groveland is narrow/steep and not advised for RVs or trailers; Tuolumne/Cottonwood approach is preferred for large vehicles.
- No parking on the dam or blocking the launch; use designated gravel lots.
Swimming
Water-quality and swimming advisories change without notice. Always check Stanislaus National Forest alerts (USDA Forest Service) before you go.
Sources: fs.usda.gov/r05/stanislaus/alerts, accessed September 28, 2026
On the water
No campgrounds, boat ramps, or swim spots linked to Cherry Lake yet.
Common questions
- Cherry Lake is at 86.7% of full pool (4681.76 ft) as of September 29, 2026.
- Cherry Lake was last full on July 10, 2026, when it held 95.1% of its normal storage. This site counts a reservoir as full on a day its storage is at or above 95% of the dam's normal storage (National Inventory of Dams). Many reservoirs rarely reach 100%, even in wet years, because operators release water for irrigation, power or flood control before they fill, so this site treats 95% as full. Based on USGS daily data since August 26, 1956.
- In USGS daily data since August 26, 1956, Cherry Lake's highest storage was 100.4% of normal storage on May 31, 2009. Its lowest after it first filled (June 25, 1957) was 0% of normal storage on December 4, 1964. These are the highest and lowest daily readings in the published data, not official records.
- Cherry Lake is near Groveland, California (37.9758, -119.9141).
- Local Government operates the dam at Cherry Lake.
- Cherry Lake's dam is used for Hydropower, Irrigation, Water supply.
- Open all year; vehicle access subject to winter road closure and snow. Pack it in, pack it out.
- Cherry Lake has no designated swim area on record. Check current advisories at Stanislaus National Forest alerts (USDA Forest Service) before you go.