A water level gauge that indicates the water level in a tree stand is provided herein. The gauge includes a component that floats on the water within the tree stand, a shaft with indicator markings attached to the float component, a transparent housing through which the shaft passes, an indicator line on the housing that, when compared to the indicator markings on the shaft, indicates the level of the water in the tree stand. An attachment apparatus is also provided that attaches the present invention to the tree stand.