Carter Lake Reservoir Water Level

Colorado · updated daily from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

5728.54 ft

Carter Lake Reservoir is low for this time of year and falling (-0.51 ft in the last 7 days).

Change since yesterday: +0.00 ft

Reading as of 2026-08-14 · higher than 2% of August readings on record

Where Carter Lake Reservoir sits historically

TODAY 5728.54 ftRECORD LOW0 ft2021-07-21RECORD HIGH5758.9 ft2023-07-10

Today's level compared with every reading in our 5.5-year record for this lake.

Since yesterday

+0.00 ft

7-day change

-0.51 ft

30-day change

-3.68 ft

1-year change

-8.40 ft

Last 30 days

2026-07-155728.1–5732.7 ft2026-08-14

Last 12 months

2025-08-145702.9–5763.6 ft2026-08-14

Full history (5.5 years)

2021-02-21-691.0–6449.7 ft2026-08-13

Carter Lake Reservoir records and averages

Current level5728.54 ft
Record high5758.9 ft (2023-07-10)
Record low0.0 ft (2021-07-21)
Average of all readings5735.43 ft
Data span5.5 years (2,000 readings)

Frequently asked questions

Is Carter Lake Reservoir full right now?

As of 2026-08-14, Carter Lake Reservoir sits at 5728.54 ft, which is low for this time of year.Over the past 30 days the level has fallen 3.68 ft.

What is the water level at Carter Lake Reservoir today?

The most recent reading is 5728.54 ft (2026-08-14), sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Readings on this page refresh automatically as the agency publishes new data.

What is the highest Carter Lake Reservoir has ever been?

The highest level in our records is 5758.9 ft on 2023-07-10. The lowest is 0.0 ft on 2021-07-21. Our record covers about 5.5 years of readings.

Is Carter Lake Reservoir low for this time of year?

Compared with every August in our records, the current level is higher than 2% of them — low for this time of year. Seasonal comparison matters more than the raw number, because most reservoirs draw down predictably through late summer and refill over winter and spring.

Why is Carter Lake Reservoir low right now?

Reservoir levels move for four main reasons: rainfall and runoff into the basin, releases through the dam for downstream water supply, power generation or flood control, evaporation during hot months, and seasonal drawdown schedules set by the operating agency. Carter Lake Reservoir has fallen 3.68 ft over the past 30 days. For the operational reason on any given week, check the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation directly.

How much has Carter Lake Reservoir changed over the past year?

The level is -8.40 ft compared with this date last year (5728.54 ft today). The full-history chart above covers 5.5 years, with a record high of 5758.9 ft and a record low of 0.0 ft.

Nearby lakes in Colorado

Flatiron Reservoir water level
5469.49 ft · falling
Pinewood Reservoir and Rattlesnake water level
6565.39 ft · rising
Horsetooth Reservoir water level
5412.73 ft · falling
Lake Estes and Olympus water level
7472.15 ft · rising
Marys Lake water level
8027.86 ft · falling
Marys Lake Power Plant water level
8262.04 ft · steady

Source: the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Readings are provisional and subject to revision by the publishing agency. All Colorado lake levels.