Loon Lake (smud) Reservoir
As of August 9, 2026, Loon Lake (Smud) is holding 64,375 acre-ft of water — 107% of normal storage for this date. Storage data refreshed throughout the day.
Loon Lake (Smud)
Loon Lake, located in Eldorado National Forest, California, is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The lake was formed through the construction of the Loon Lake Dam in 1963 by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) for hydroelectric power generation. The lake is fed by snowmelt and runoff from the surrounding mountains, which also provide recreational activities such as hiking and fishing. The area is designated as a water supply and watershed protection zone, with the SMUD monitoring water quality and enforcing regulations to ensure the safety of the water supply. The lake is also used for recreational activities such as camping and boating. Surrounding agriculture relies on the water from Loon Lake for irrigation purposes. The lake's snowpack and surface flow providers are the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Rubicon River watershed.
Daily levels at Loon Lake (Smud)
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 Loon Lake (Smud) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| General C Nr Meeks Bay Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Blackwood C Nr Tahoe City Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Ward C At Hwy 89 Nr Tahoe Pines Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Pilot C Ab Stumpy Meadows Res Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Truckee R A Tahoe City Ca | 291 cfs | → |
| Pilot C Bl Mutton Canyon Nr Georgetown Ca | 2 cfs | → |
About Loon Lake (Smud)
What is the water level at Loon Lake (smud) Reservoir right now?
As of August 9, 2026, Loon Lake (smud) Reservoir is holding 64,375 acre-ft, about 107% of normal for this date. Pool elevation and the year-over-year trend are shown above.
Is Loon Lake (smud) 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 Loon Lake (smud) 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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