Independence Lake water level
▼ 5 points from 92.8% a year ago
Source: waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-10342900, accessed October 1, 2026. Updated every 6 hours.
Independence Lake is at 88% of full pool (6948.31 ft) as of September 29, 2026. Independence Lake was last full on August 8, 2026 (95% of normal storage). Independence Lake is near Truckee, California. It has picnic area and boat launch, managed by The Nature Conservancy (recreation partnership with Truckee Donner Land Trust). Check current swimming advisories at Independence Lake Preserve visitor rules (The Nature Conservancy) before you go.
Independence 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 1988
Independence Lake is falling: 88.2% full, down 0.7 percentage points since September 27, 2026.
On this same date last year (September 28, 2025), Independence Lake was 92.8% full, 4.6 percentage points higher than today's 88.2%.
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).
Independence Lake map
Independence Lake is at 39.4518, -120.2907. Open in OpenStreetMap.
The dam
- Water supply
Sources: nid.sec.usace.army.mil, accessed September 29, 2026
Visiting Independence Lake Preserve
- Picnic area
- Boat launch
Camping is not permitted.
Dogs must be on leashes; unleashed dogs are not permitted.
Good to know:
- No outside watercraft; only the preserve's in-basin kayak and motorboat fleet (free, first come, first served). All footgear used in the lake must be washed at the on-site wash station; no felt-soled waders.
- Fires, smoking, hunting, horseback riding, and removal of plants/animals/artifacts are prohibited.
- High-clearance vehicle advised on the rough dirt approach from Highway 89 north of Truckee.
Swimming
Water-quality and swimming advisories change without notice. Always check Independence Lake Preserve visitor rules (The Nature Conservancy) before you go.
On the water
No campgrounds, boat ramps, or swim spots linked to Independence Lake yet.
Common questions
- Independence Lake is at 88% of full pool (6948.31 ft) as of September 29, 2026.
- Independence Lake was last full on August 8, 2026, when it held 95% of its normal storage (elevation 6,948.04 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 USGS daily data since November 10, 1988.
- In USGS daily data since November 10, 1988, Independence Lake's highest elevation was 6,950.38 ft on June 5, 2002. Its lowest after it first filled (June 3, 1989) was 6,934.36 ft on October 23, 1992. These are the highest and lowest daily readings in the published data, not official records.
- Independence Lake is near Truckee, California (39.4518, -120.2907).
- Utility operates the dam at Independence Lake.
- Independence Lake's dam is used for Water supply.
- Open year-round for walk-in day use. Preserve staff on-site daily May-October; irregularly the rest of the year. On-site watercraft typically available Thursdays-Sundays in season (see 2026 calendar on TNC page).
- Independence Lake has no designated swim area on record. Check current advisories at Independence Lake Preserve visitor rules (The Nature Conservancy) before you go.