French Lake Reservoir
As of July 17, 2026, French Lake is holding 13,909 acre-ft of water — 99% of normal storage for this date. Storage data refreshed throughout the day.
French Lake
French Lake is a natural lake located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. Its history dates back to the 1800s when it was used by miners and loggers to transport goods. The hydrology of French Lake is unique due to its location at the foot of a steep mountain range. The lake is fed by specific surface flow and snowpack providers, including the nearby Carson Pass and Meiss Meadows. The lake is also a vital source of irrigation for the surrounding agricultural lands. Recreational activities such as fishing and hiking are popular among visitors to French Lake. The area is home to a variety of wildlife including black bears, mountain lions, and deer. Today, French Lake remains an important natural resource for the local community and a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Daily levels at French Lake
Storage volume, pool elevation, and total release plotted from the operating agency's daily observations.
Storage
acre-ft · code 2
Pool Elevation
ft · code 1
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around French Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Truckee R Bl Div Dam Nr Sierraville Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Independence C Nr Truckee Ca | 6 cfs | → |
| Sagehen C Nr Truckee Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Donner C A Donner Lk Nr Truckee Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| Donner C At Hwy 89 Nr Truckee Ca | 7 cfs | → |
| Truckee R Nr Truckee Ca | 278 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near French Lake.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About French Lake
Where does the data for French Lake come from?
Daily storage, pool elevation, and release rates are sourced from USGS, USBR, and USACE monitoring stations. Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
Storage observations are updated daily by the operating agency. The 15-day weather forecast refreshes throughout the day. Snoflo caches and renders the most recent observation -- check the "as of" timestamp on the storage card.
What does the Hazard hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card below for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this reservoir, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.