S Fork Reservoir at Spring Creek water level — Nevada

Nevada · USGS · reading Aug 31, 2026, 1:00 AM (UTC-07:00) Provisional

S Fork Reservoir at Spring Creek in Nevada was last measured at 5,229.47 ft (datum NGVD29), as of Aug 31, 2026, 1:00 AM (UTC-07:00) (USGS Water Services). Over its recent trend window the level has been falling (−0.8 ft). This reading is provisional and subject to revision.

Current reading S Fork Reservoir at Spring Creek · Nevada
Pool elevation
5,229.47 ft

Datum NGVD29 · provisional, subject to revision. (Why datum matters →)

% of conservation pool full
Not reported
Storage
Not reported
Recent trend
↓Falling

−0.8 ft over the trend window

Recent trend

Readings this station published between Jun 2, 2026 and Aug 31, 2026 — a 89-day window — downsampled for display.

5231.3ft5229.5ftJun 2 – Aug 31

Data: USGS Water Services (waterservices.usgs.gov) and USACE CWMS Data (cwms-data.usace.army.mil), retrieved 2026-08-31. Both public domain (a work of the U.S. Government, 17 U.S.C. §105).

Not for navigation or safety decisions (why →)

Source: USGS site 10319910, retrieved Aug 31, 2026, 8:24 AM (UTC+00:00). Official page for this lake →

The dam behind S Fork Reservoir at Spring Creek

S Fork Reservoir at Spring Creek is held back by South Fork Dam , an earthfill embankment, holding the pool back by sheer mass and an impervious core rather than by the strength of concrete , standing 72 ft high and running 1,650 ft along its crest , built across SOUTH FORK HUMBOLDT RIVER in Elko County , near PALISADE . It was completed in 1989 and modified in 2022 , and is owned by NEVADA DCNR (a state owner) , to a design credited to NEVADA DCNR.

Its recorded primary purpose is recreation — holding a stable pool through the season is an operating goal, so a level well off normal in summer is unusual rather than routine . It also serves recreation;fish and wildlife pond;flood risk reduction.

It is founded on rock, with a earth core. Its spillway is gated, so the operator can hold the pool above the spillway crest and meter what leaves. The spillway opening is 0 ft wide. Its outlet works use needle2;valve1.

NID classes it high hazard potential. That describes what a failure would cost downstream — loss of life would be expected — and says nothing about how likely a failure is, or what condition the dam is in. Its most recent condition assessment was fair: sound under normal loading, though a rare or extreme event could expose a deficiency. That assessment is dated 08/15/2023.

At its normal pool the reservoir covers about 1,900 acres. NID records a maximum storage of 52,500 acre-ft against a normal storage of 41,250 acre-ft. Its maximum discharge capacity is 7,750 cubic feet per second. It is regulated by NEVADA DWR.

Dam facts: National Inventory of Dams record NV00226 , filed by Nevada — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, public domain. Water levels above come from USGS Water Services and are a separate source. (How this dam was matched to this gauge →)

How S Fork Reservoir at Spring Creek compares nearby

All 5 nearby lakes with a current trend are also falling, suggesting a regional pattern rather than an operation specific to this dam.

Nearby lakes

The six nearest published lakes by centroid distance (great-circle) — cross-state neighbors included.

Lakes nearest to S Fork Reservoir at Spring Creek, with current level and distance.
Lake State Level Distance
Wild Horse Reservoir NV 112 km
Gsl Breach 6 Miles UT 4,190.30 ft 261 km
Gsl S. Side of Causeway, 6 Miles UT 4,190.20 ft 261 km
Great Salt Lake UT 4,189.90 ft 283 km
Great Salt Lake at Saltair Boat Harbor UT 4,190.20 ft 301 km
Lahontan Reservoir NV 4,136.47 ft 310 km

Frequently asked questions

What is the current water level of S Fork Reservoir at Spring Creek?
As of Aug 31, 2026, 1:00 AM (UTC-07:00), the pool elevation was 5,229.47 ft (datum NGVD29), provisional and subject to revision. See the trend chart above for the recent direction.
Is S Fork Reservoir at Spring Creek full right now?
Its managing agency does not publish a %-of-conservation-pool-full figure for this lake, so we show the bare level rather than estimate one.
Where does this data come from?
From USGS site 10319910, retrieved Aug 31, 2026, 8:24 AM (UTC+00:00).

More in Nevada

See every lake tracked in Nevada, or read the methodology behind these figures.