Skip to Content

Keuka Lake Association

― KEUKA LAKE LEVEL ―

Keuka Lake Level: 713.25 ft. ** (as of 1:00 am Mar 19, 2024)
Current Gate Settings
Gate 1: Open 5 in.
Gate 2: Closed
Gate 3: Closed
Gate 4: Closed
Gate 5: Closed
Gate 6: Closed

Total Discharge: 18.22 CFS

Notes

  • The lake has never been this high (or low) before... really? view Historical Levels
  • Mean High Water Level – 715.3'
    Official value which was defined many years ago from historical high water measurements and is referred to as the National Tidal Datum Epoch. This is a key point for all lake shore property owners which defines boundaries.
  • Low Water Level - 712.5’
    The property boundary between the State of NY and shoreline property owners.

    The New York State DEC regulates the use and development of land between the low water level (712.5’) and the mean high water level (715.3’), even when this property is privately owned.
  • New gates were completed in November of 1993
  • Top of dam: 716.04'
  • 100 Year Flood Level - 720.8'
    Flood level that has a 1% chance of occurring each year, used by most Federal and State agencies, including FEMA, for flood plain management and the National Flood Insurance Program.
  • Miniumum Outflow
    Minimum allowed water outflow is 20 cubic feet per second (CFS), to allow adequate Penn Yan wastewater treatment plant discharge dilution.
  • Normal Maximum Outflow
    Normal maximum allowed water outflow is limited to 1,000 cubic feet per second (CFS), to minimize any potential downstream damage. Exceeding this amount should only happen during high water emergency periods, requiring KLOC to declare Condition B, which is a non-failure emergency condition.
  • For more details on outflow read how total discharge is calculated.
  • All lake level values are shown in feet above sea level per NGVD29 datum.

    The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE), and NYSDEC typically currently use NGVD 29 datum. However, it is probably only a matter of time before the government agencies convert to using NAVD 88 datum, which for our area is about 0.51 ft. higher. When looking at drawings, surveys, or other elevation information, make sure that you know which datum is being utilized. If it is per NAVD 88 datum, just subtract 0.51 ft. from that value to correlate with NGVD 29 elevations.



Lake Level Committee

Wayne Hand, Chair
Nolan Smith, Co-Chair
Rick Willson
Bill Laffin
Sue Oliver
Jim Horner
Darryl Heckle
Rory Long
Scott Demmin ND

contact committee

Lake level readings are obtained from the recording device installed at the Penn Yan Water Treatment Plant, updated every two hours.  The curves on the chart reflect the last reading of every day.

When the lake level raises above the height of the dam at 716 ft., all gates are closed and water spills over the top of the dam with no ability to regulate the outflow.


THE KLA DOES NOT CONTROL THE LAKE LEVEL

KLOC (Keuka Lake Outlet Compact), an inter-municipal corporation consisting of senior leaders from the eight municipalities around the lake shoreline, has ultimate responsibility for management of water levels and upkeep of the outlet gates. The recommended process for daily operation and management of the gates is outlined in the "Reservoir Regulation Manual-Keuka Lake Outlet" (developed by the Army Corps of Engineers), which describes the purpose and the procedures for maintaining the lake level. The Chair of the KLOC and the Director of Public Works for the Penn Yan Municipal Utility Board (contracted to operate the outlet gates) consult on a regular basis to determine if the gate settings need to be changed to increase or decrease the outflow or discharge of water from the lake.


For more information regarding lake level management, please refer to the Keuka Lake Water Level Management page shown below under related pages.


Keuka Lake - Inlet
Keuka Inlet

MISSION

Founded in 1956, the Keuka Lake Association, with over 1700 members, provides a unified voice for those who love Keuka Lake. Our mission is to preserve and protect Keuka Lake and its natural beauty for future generations.

Keuka Lake Association is a 501(c) (3) organization (a non-profit tax exempt organization under IRS rules). This distinction is defined by our service to the public and how we are mission-driven as opposed to profit-driven.

Gifts, donations and membership dues paid to our organization are used in direct service to the overall mission to preserve and protect Keuka Lake. Membership dues, donations and gifts are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Consult your professional tax preparer if you have specific tax related questions.