Lake Tahoe's surface level continues to rise fast as the hot weather brings snowmelt to a peak. The lake level reached 6228.14' above sea level on July 4, and has less than a foot to go until it reaches its maximum legal limit.

The lake level hit 6228.04' on July 1, and rose to 6228.14' by July 4, according to USGS website data (see graph below). On May 15, 2006, after the lake level reached 6228.04' it 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 69 cfs as of July 4 (see graphs below).

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.

Note: This report will be updated periodically as the lake level nears its peak.