Folsom Lake water level
▼ 2.5 points from 50.3% a year ago
Source: data.usbr.gov/rise/api/catalog-item/10775, accessed October 1, 2026. Updated every 6 hours.
Folsom Lake is at 48% of full pool (407.18 ft) as of September 28, 2026. Folsom Lake was last full on July 2, 2026 (95.1% of normal storage). Folsom Lake is near Folsom, California. It has restrooms, showers, drinking water, picnic area, dump station, boat launch, marina, and equestrian facilities, managed by California Department of Parks and Recreation. Check current swimming advisories at Folsom Lake SRA current information (California State Parks) before you go.
Folsom 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: Bureau of Reclamation daily data.
Storage, % of full pool, since 1955
Folsom Lake is falling: 48% full, down 0.4 percentage points since September 27, 2026.
On this same date last year (September 28, 2025), Folsom Lake was 50.3% full, 2.3 percentage points higher than today's 48%.
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).
Folsom Lake map
Folsom Lake is at 38.7075, -121.1567. Open in OpenStreetMap.
The dam
- Hydropower
- Irrigation
- Recreation
Sources: nid.sec.usace.army.mil, accessed September 29, 2026
Visiting Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Drinking water
- Picnic area
- Dump station
- Boat launch
- Marina
- ADA accessible
- Equestrian facilities
Year-round camping at Beals Point; Peninsula also offers camping. Max trailer/camper about 31 feet. Reservations via ReserveCalifornia (800-444-7275). Group picnic sites at Granite Bay and Black Miners Bar reservable up to 90 days ahead through the sector office.
Dogs allowed on trails and in water, but not in swim areas at Black Miners Bar, Granite Bay, Beals Point, or Nimbus Flat, and not on the turf at Nimbus Flat.
Good to know:
- Park includes Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma (downstream; primarily non-motorized / 5 mph). Folsom Lake Marina is at Brown's Ravine.
- Nimbus Shoals unit closed to vehicles until further notice (as posted on the park page).
- Primary recreation season April-September; summers are hot and dry.
Swimming
Designated swim area: Designated swim beaches include areas at Beals Point, Granite Bay, Black Miners Bar, and Nimbus Flat (dogs prohibited in those swim areas)..
Water-quality and swimming advisories change without notice. Always check Folsom Lake SRA current information (California State Parks) before you go.
On the water
No campgrounds, boat ramps, or swim spots linked to Folsom Lake yet.
Common questions
- Folsom Lake is at 48% of full pool (407.18 ft) as of September 28, 2026.
- Folsom Lake was last full on July 2, 2026, when it held 95.1% of its normal storage (elevation 454.29 ft). 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 Bureau of Reclamation daily data since March 1, 1955.
- In Bureau of Reclamation daily data since March 1, 1955, Folsom Lake's highest elevation was 467.23 ft on June 15, 1963. Its lowest after it first filled (May 15, 1958) was 347.56 ft on November 20, 1977. These are the highest and lowest daily readings in the published data, not official records.
- Folsom Lake is near Folsom, California (38.7075, -121.1567).
- Bureau of Reclamation operates the dam at Folsom Lake.
- Folsom Lake's dam is used for Hydropower, Irrigation, Recreation.
- Major day-use areas: winter 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; summer 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (DST changeover). Campgrounds, overnight moorings, and Folsom Lake Marina follow separate hours. Fees: Vehicle day use (main recreation areas) $12, Vehicle day use (other listed entrances, e.g. Nimbus Flat, Willow Creek) $10, Boat launch (registered vessel) $10, Beals Point / Peninsula camping (peak May 15-Sep 15) $33/night, Beals Point / Peninsula camping (non-peak) $28/night, Beals Point RV camping (peak) $58/night, Extra vehicle (Beals Point campground) $12/night, Dump station (non-registered campers) $12.
- Folsom Sector Office, Contact (916) 988-0205 for current desk hours.
- Folsom Lake has designated swimming at: Designated swim beaches include areas at Beals Point, Granite Bay, Black Miners Bar, and Nimbus Flat (dogs prohibited in those swim areas).. Check current advisories at Folsom Lake SRA current information (California State Parks) before you go.