Hempstead Lake at Hempstead water level
Lake, Hempstead Lake, New York, United States
Right now
Normal for mid-October
Surface elevation
History
20222023202420252026
What this means
Nothing unusual at Hempstead Lake at Hempstead right now: the lake level of 21.39 ft is in the normal range for mid-October.
The median for mid-October is 20.05 ft, based on 5 years of readings, so the lake level is 1.34 ft above typical. On the same day last year the reading was 20.05 ft, a difference of +1.34 ft.
The level is falling, down 0.07 ft over the past 24 hours. Over the past 30 days it has moved between 21.04 ft and 21.76 ft.
Lakes and reservoirs often sit lower in fall after a summer of evaporation and use, and recover with winter rain and spring snowmelt.
Compared with 5 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Median for this date
- 20.05 ft1.34 ft above the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- 19.51 ft – 22.98 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (5 years of records)
- Same day last year
- 20.05 ft+1.34 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- 21.04 ft – 21.76 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- 19.80 ft – 23.04 ft
Swimming and boating at Hempstead Lake at Hempstead
At a normal level, ramps and marinas generally run as usual, and fishing tends to follow the season more than the water level.
If you swim, pick a spot with an easy way out, and remember that drop-offs move as the level changes.
Weather at the gauge
Rain in the last 3 days: 0.05 in.
Forecast: Open-Meteo
Map
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley Stream at Valley StreamRiver gauge, Valley Stream | 2.8 cfs | Normal | ±0 | 3.1 mi |
| East Meadow Brook at FreeportRiver gauge, East Meadow Brook | 2.0 cfs | Low | −0.2 cfs | 4.1 mi |
| Conselyeas Pond Tributary at RosedaleRiver gauge, Conselyeas Pond Tributary | 1.0 cfs | Low | −0.9 cfs | 5.1 mi |
| Bellmore Creek near BellmoreRiver gauge, Bellmore Creek | 3.1 cfs | Normal | −0.3 cfs | 7 mi |
| Bellmore Creek Tributary at BellmoreRiver gauge, Bellmore Creek Tributary | 0.4 cfs | Normal | −0.1 cfs | 7 mi |
| Massapequa Creek at MassapequaRiver gauge, Massapequa Creek | 2.3 cfs | Low | −0.3 cfs | 10 mi |
| Mill Neck Creek at Mill NeckRiver gauge, Mill Neck Creek | 6.3 cfs | Low | −1.3 cfs | 15 mi |
| Cold Spring Brook at Cold Spring HarborRiver gauge, Cold Spring Brook | 1.3 cfs | Low | ±0 | 16 mi |
Questions and answers
Is Hempstead Lake at Hempstead higher than last year?
Yes, it is 1.34 ft higher than on the same day last year, when the reading was 20.05 ft.
What is a normal level for Hempstead Lake at Hempstead in mid-October?
The median for mid-October is 20.05 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 19.51 ft and 22.98 ft, based on 5 years of records.
Is Hempstead Lake at Hempstead really 21.39 ft deep?
No. 21.39 ft is the height of the water surface above sea level (or the agency's vertical datum), not the depth of the water.
What is the water level of Hempstead Lake at Hempstead today?
On Oct 18, 2026, 04:00 PM EDT, the surface elevation was 21.39 ft. Down 0.07 ft over the last 24 hours.
Is Hempstead Lake at Hempstead rising or falling?
Down 0.07 ft over the last 24 hours. Up 0.06 ft over the last 7 days.
Is the level of Hempstead Lake at Hempstead normal?
Normal for mid-October. Compared with 5 years of daily readings for this time of year.
How often is this data updated?
The U.S. Geological Survey publishes a new reading every 15 minutes. This page refreshes within minutes of each update.
For specialists
Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
- Operator
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Station code
usgs:0131079450(Agency page)- Coordinates
40.67281, -73.64692(WGS84)- Vertical datum
- NAVD88
- Update interval
- every 15 minutes
- Licence
- Public domain. Data: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provisional data subject to revision
Published series
| Parameter | Last value | Time (UTC) | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface elevation | 21.39 ft | 2026-10-18 20:00 | Provisional |
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Hempstead Lake at Hempstead (usgs:0131079450). Accessed October 18, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/new-york/hempstead-lake-at-hempstead
How we check values
Each reading is stored as published. We hold back values that jump faster than physically plausible and show the measurement time with every value.
Readings are provisional, can be delayed or wrong and are not a flood warning. Read the disclaimer