Lake Diefenbaker at Gardiner Dam
Water level and flow at gauge 05HF003, Saskatchewan. The level is normal for October. In the last 24 hours it has been falling.
Latest reading Oct 25, 6 AM local standard time (2 hours ago) · data checked · we check every 30 minutes
Compared with a normal October
Normal for October (middle half of 60 years of monthly averages): 555.04 m1,821.01 ft – 556.01 m1,824.18 ft, median 555.62 m1,822.91 ft.
August 17, 1981 · approved records 1974–2025 (HYDAT). Right now the level is 1.62 m5.32 ft below that record.
0.34 m1.13 ft higher than on October 25, 2025 (555.09 m1,821.17 ft)
approved daily mean (HYDAT)
Last 30 days
Hourly readings · shaded: normal range for this month
This year compared with past years
Daily water level
Normal range: monthly averages of 58 years (lighter band: 10th–90th percentile). Past years: approved daily means from HYDAT, the Water Survey of Canada archive (the latest year published is 2025). 2026: daily means of the provisional real-time readings collected by Canada River Levels since October 22, 2026.
Weather near this gauge
A mix of sun and cloud. Wind northwest 20 km/h becoming light this morning. High plus 2. Wind chill minus 15 this morning. UV index 2 or low.
A few clouds. Wind up to 15 km/h. Low minus 7. Wind chill minus 7 this evening and minus 13 overnight.
Sunny. Wind becoming southeast 30 km/h gusting to 50 in the morning. High 7. Wind chill minus 13 in the morning. UV index 2 or low.
Clear. Low minus 2.
Forecast for Elbow (24 km away) from Environment and Climate Change Canada, issued . Full official forecast ↗ · we check for new forecasts every 2 hours.
Nearby gauges
| Inverness CreekBroderick · 25 km | 0.56 m1.82 ft | No normal yet |
| Brightwater CreekKenaston · 39 km | 0.75 m2.46 ft | No normal yet |
| Elbow Diversion CanalDrop Structure · 46 km | 1.29 m4.22 ft | Normal |
| Ridge CreekBridgeford · 51 km | 99.89 m327.73 ft | Very high |
| Qu'Appelle RiverAbove Buffalo Pound Lake · 89 km | 5.54 m18.16 ft | Normal |
| South Saskatchewan RiverSaskatoon · 97 km | 2.20 m7.22 ft | Normal |
About this gauge
Station: 05HF003 · Lake Diefenbaker at Gardiner Dam
Location: 51.2803, -106.8392 · Saskatchewan
Water levels are measured from a local reference point at each gauge, not from sea level, so they cannot be compared between gauges.
Official sources
For flood warnings, advisories and approved data, always use these official services:
Questions
What is the water level of the Lake Diefenbaker at Gardiner Dam today?
The latest reading (Oct 25, 6 AM, local standard time) is 555.44 m (1,822.30 ft).
Is the Lake Diefenbaker at Gardiner Dam high right now?
The level is normal for October.
Is the Lake Diefenbaker rising or falling?
In the last 24 hours it has been falling.
What is the highest water level ever recorded on the Lake Diefenbaker at Gardiner Dam?
557.06 m (1,827.62 ft) on August 17, 1981, the highest instantaneous level in the approved records of the Water Survey of Canada (1974–2025). Events after 2025 are not yet in the approved archive.
How does the Lake Diefenbaker at Gardiner Dam compare with a year ago?
The level is 0.34 m (1.13 ft) higher than on October 25, 2025 (555.09 m (1,821.17 ft), approved daily mean (HYDAT)).
Where does this data come from?
Gauge 05HF003 of the Water Survey of Canada (Environment and Climate Change Canada). Real-time data are provisional and may be revised. We check for new readings every 30 minutes. Canada River Levels is not an official source.