Hell Hole (pcwa) Reservoir
As of August 10, 2026, Hell Hole (Pcwa) is holding 174,802 acre-ft of water — 104% of normal storage for this date. Storage data refreshed throughout the day.
Hell Hole (Pcwa)
Hell Hole Reservoir is a man-made lake in California that was created in 1966 by the Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) for hydroelectric power and water supply. The reservoir is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and is fed by the Rubicon River and several other small streams. The area is known for its heavy snowpack in the winter months, which provides the majority of the reservoir's water. The Hell Hole Reservoir also serves as a popular recreational destination for fishing, boating, and camping. Additionally, the water from the reservoir is used for agricultural purposes and for domestic use in nearby communities. However, in recent years, the reservoir has experienced lower water levels due to drought conditions, causing concerns about water supply and potential impacts on recreational activities.
Daily levels at Hell Hole (Pcwa)
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 Hell Hole (Pcwa) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blackwood C Nr Tahoe City Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Pilot C Ab Stumpy Meadows Res Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Ward C At Hwy 89 Nr Tahoe Pines Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| General C Nr Meeks Bay Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Pilot C Bl Mutton Canyon Nr Georgetown Ca | 2 cfs | → |
| Truckee R A Tahoe City Ca | 291 cfs | → |
About Hell Hole (Pcwa)
What is the water level at Hell Hole (pcwa) Reservoir right now?
As of August 10, 2026, Hell Hole (pcwa) Reservoir is holding 174,802 acre-ft, about 104% of normal for this date. Pool elevation and the year-over-year trend are shown above.
Is Hell Hole (pcwa) Reservoir high or low right now?
Compare the percent-of-normal figure on this page: above 100% means storage is higher than the historical average for the date (a wet year), below 100% means lower (a dry year or drought). The daily-levels chart shows the current trend.
Where does the data for Hell Hole (pcwa) 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.
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