Lake Tahoe's surface level is rising fast as the hot weather brings snowmelt to a peak this week. The lake level reached 6228' above sea level on July 1, and has less than a foot to go until it reaches its maximum legal limit.

The lake level hit 6228.04' on July 1, according to USGS website data. On May 15, 2006, the lake level reached 6228.04' and continued to rise for more than a month, finally reaching 6229.06' on June 28, 2006, just .04 below its maximum legal limit and flood stage of 6229.1'.

The Lake Tahoe Dam in Tahoe City, Lake Tahoe's only outlet, which feeds the Truckee River, remains near-closed, releasing only 72 cfs as of July 1. The dam, built in 1913, controls the upper 6.1 feet of the lake by regulating the amount of water released into the Truckee River. As the lake level rises in the days and weeks ahead, all eyes will be on the dam, which is expected to be opened before the lake reaches flood stage.

The USGS operates a webcam just below the Lake Tahoe Dam. View it here.