Lake Powell hits record low, threatening water supply and power generation

Lake Powell, the United States' second-largest reservoir, recorded a water elevation of 3,519.91 feet above sea level on Saturday, slightly below the previous record set in April 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The level is more than 20 feet lower than at the start of the year and brings the reservoir within about 30 feet of the point where its turbines would cease generating electricity.

The decline follows a similar historic low at Lake Mead a week earlier, underscoring the broader stress on the Colorado River system that supplies water, hydroelectric power and supports wildlife across seven western states. Federal officials have warned that a major intervention will be needed to prevent the loss of power generation by the end of the year.

In July, the Bureau of Reclamation proposed a ten-year water-management plan that could include significant cuts for Arizona, California and Nevada. The current storage levels are the lowest in nearly seven decades, comparable to conditions in May 1957 when Glen Canyon Dam was still under construction.

The reduced water levels have also affected tourism at Lake Powell, prompting marinas to relocate, close or move boat ramps, and add new access points in deeper water.