Overview
Don Pedro Reservoir is a roughly 12,960-acre lake on the Tuolumne River in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Tuolumne County, jointly owned by the Turlock and Modesto Irrigation Districts. New Don Pedro Dam was completed in 1971, creating one of California's largest reservoirs for irrigation, hydroelectric power, flood control, and recreation.
At a gross pool of 830 feet NGVD29 the lake extends about 26 miles upstream with approximately 160 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth near 550 feet. Steep canyon walls, long river arms, flooded timber, and rocky points create classic Mother Lode reservoir habitat for boaters and anglers.
Don Pedro is a major Central Valley destination for houseboating, water sports, camping, and fishing for bass, salmonids, and other species managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. District recreation areas, marinas, and public ramps support heavy seasonal use from Modesto, Turlock, and the Bay Area.
Water levels are operated around a full pool of 830 feet, with a minimum power pool near 600 feet and flood-control space reserved in winter; spillway design flood elevations approach about 850 feet. Because irrigation demand, snowmelt, and flood operations can move the pool substantially, monitoring current lake levels is important for boating, fishing, and dock access. Nearby New Melones Lake and Lake McClure are sister Sierra-foothill reservoirs on adjacent river systems.
Current Conditions
Don Pedro Reservoir is currently 31.4 feet below full pool and has been falling over the past week.
- 7-day trendFallingLatest movement can differ from the seven-day trend.
- 7-day changeDown 2.20 ft
- 30-day changeDown 11.59 ft
- Drought conditionsAbnormally Dry
About This Lake
Learn how this lake is managed, what affects its water level, and where Lake Insights gets its data.
Don Pedro Reservoir is a 12,960-acre reservoir on the Tuolumne River managed by Turlock Irrigation District / Modesto Irrigation District.