Overview
Flaming Gorge Reservoir is a Colorado River Storage Project lake on the Green River spanning northeastern Utah and southwestern Wyoming. Flaming Gorge Dam (completed 1964) is operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for storage, hydropower, and recreation within Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. The dam is a 502-foot thin-arch structure in Red Canyon with a powerplant at the downstream toe. Public agencies publish current elevation and recreation notices that are worth checking before a long drive.
At full pool 6,040 feet the reservoir covers about 42,020 acres, with shoreline commonly cited from about 208 to 375 miles depending on measurement, average depth near 212 feet, and maximum depth about 436 feet. Red canyon walls and high-desert plateaus define the setting. Upper Flaming Gorge in Wyoming is broader and more windswept than the deep Utah canyon narrows.
Lake trout, kokanee, and smallmouth bass support a premier regional fishery managed by Utah and Wyoming wildlife agencies. NPS/USFS recreation sites, marinas, and ramps provide public access on both sides of the state line. Dutch John and Manila are the main service communities for ramps, marinas, and lodging.
Active conservation tops out near 6,040 feet above mean sea level. Drought and power operations can lower the pool substantially; monitoring current lake levels is important for marina access and canyon boating. CRSP operations link Flaming Gorge releases to Green River endangered-fish and power needs downstream.
Current Conditions
Flaming Gorge Reservoir is currently 28.79 feet below full pool and has fallen slightly over the past week.
- 7-day trendFallingLatest movement can differ from the seven-day trend.
- 7-day changeDown 0.65 ft
- 30-day changeDown 2.46 ft
- Drought conditionsModerate Drought
About This Lake
Learn how this lake is managed, what affects its water level, and where Lake Insights gets its data.
Flaming Gorge Reservoir is a 42,020-acre reservoir on the Green River managed by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Upper Colorado Basin), Colorado River Storage Project.