Lake Pleasant is the water world wonder of jet skiing, camping, fishing and more. It’s also CAP’s storage reservoir. As such, each year we release updates and forecasts of the lake’s water levels.

The latest forecast has now been announced. Visit this Lake Pleasant page on CentralArizonaProject.com.

The page provides a general overview of Lake Pleasant’s role in CAP operations, and the latest elevations and amount of water being pumping into, or released out of, the lake. Near the bottom of the page, see the operational forecast for Lake Pleasant and New Waddell Dam operations with 2024 annual and forecast elevations.

Colorado River shortage and Lake Pleasant

The latest shortage declaration for Colorado River operations requires a 512,000 acre-foot-reduction to the state’s Colorado River supply. Though CAP will be delivering less water to central and southern Arizona, because of adjustments in the way CAP operates the system, CAP plans to manage Lake Pleasant similar to years past and is not currently expecting the water level to be significantly impacted this year. CAP expects the lake level to go down, but not outside normal historical operating ranges.

Lake Pleasant: a dual purpose reservoir

Do you know how Lake Pleasant helps ensure the reliability of our water deliveries?

See more about the history of the lake, including the breeching of Waddell Dam, which was completed in 1927, and how New Waddell Dam contributed to making it the immense reservoir we know today.