Lake levels
Payette Lake, ID
- gauge height
- 3.64 ft
- Condition
- Low for this time of year
- 7-day change
- -0.98 ft
- 30-day change
- -2.00 ft
- 1-year change
- -0.10 ft
Reading as of 2026-09-30 | the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
- Since yesterday
- -0.13 ft
- 7-day change
- -0.98 ft
- 30-day change
- -2.00 ft
- 1-year change
- -0.10 ft
- Record high
- 7.07 ft
In brief
Payette Lake's gauge read 3.64 feet on Sep 30, 2026. That is lower than 97% of September readings since 2022.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Gauge height above a local reference point; not elevation above sea level.
Lake level timeline
Records and averages
| Current level | 3.64 ft |
|---|---|
| Record high | 7.07 ft (2022-06-23) |
| Record low | 0.95 ft (2022-11-29) |
| Average of all readings | 3.60 ft |
| Data span | 4 years (2,000 readings) |
Level schematic
Trout stocking on Payette Lake
IDFG stocked Payette Lake 8 times in 2026, 167,081 fish in total. Rainbow Trout - Triploid and Kokanee at Catchable (12-14 inches) and Fingerling (3-6 inches). IDFG's published figures for 2026, the most recent season it has confirmed, record 16,116 trout actually released here across 8 visits.
| Species | Fish | When |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout - Triploid | 4,978 | May 2026 |
| Kokanee | 21,166 | June 2026 |
| Kokanee | 15,093 | June 2026 |
| Kokanee | 114,706 | June 2026 |
| Rainbow Trout - Triploid | 251 | June 2026 |
| Rainbow Trout - Triploid | 3,841 | June 2026 |
| Rainbow Trout - Triploid | 5,016 | July 2026 |
| Rainbow Trout - Triploid | 2,030 | August 2026 |
IDFG lists a week or a month rather than a date, and counts fish as an estimate. Full Idaho stocking schedule →
Frequently asked questions
Is Payette Lake full right now?
As of 2026-09-30, Payette Lake sits at 3.64 ft, which is low for this time of year. Over the past 30 days the level has fallen 2.00 ft.
What is the water level at Payette Lake today?
The most recent reading at Payette Lake is 3.64 ft (2026-09-30), sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Readings on this page refresh automatically as the agency publishes new data.
What is the highest Payette Lake has ever been?
The highest level for Payette Lake in our records is 7.07 ft on 2022-06-23. The lowest is 0.95 ft on 2022-11-29. Our record covers about 4 years of readings.
Is Payette Lake low for this time of year?
Compared with every September in our records, the current level is higher than 3% of them, which we classify as low for this time of year. Seasonal comparison matters more than the raw number, because most reservoirs draw down predictably through late summer and refill over winter and spring.
Why is Payette Lake low right now?
Reservoir levels move for four main reasons: rainfall and runoff into the basin, releases through the dam for downstream water supply, power generation or flood control, evaporation during hot months, and seasonal drawdown schedules set by the operating agency. Payette Lake has fallen 2.00 ft over the past 30 days. For the operational reason on any given week, check the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation directly.
How much has Payette Lake changed over the past year?
Payette Lake is -0.10 ft compared with this date last year (3.64 ft today). The full-history chart above covers 4 years, with a record high of 7.07 ft and a record low of 0.95 ft.
Download and cite
Quote this reading
Payette Lake's gauge read 3.64 feet on Sep 30, 2026. That is lower than 97% of September readings since 2022.
Download the full record
payette-lake-id-water-level-history.csv
How to cite
MyWaterLevel, “Payette Lake water level, 2022 to 2026,” data from U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, https://mywaterlevel.com/lake/id/payette-lake/, accessed Oct 13, 2026.
Source: the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. All Idaho lake levels. Readings are provisional and may be revised. About our data and methods.