Lake Powell hits new record low as Colorado River drought deepens

Lake Powell, the United States' second-largest reservoir, dropped to 3,519.91 feet on Saturday, marginally below the previous record set in April 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The level is now less than 30 feet above the elevation at which the Glen Canyon Dam would be unable to generate electricity.

The decline follows a similar record low at Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir, recorded nine days earlier. "We are in uncharted territory," said Jack Schmidt, director of the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University.

Lake Powell and Lake Mead together store about 60% of the water in the Colorado River basin, which supplies roughly 40 million people and irrigates more than 5 million acres across seven western states. Since 2000, the river’s flow has fallen about 20% due to prolonged drought, higher temperatures and sustained water withdrawals.

The reduced water level threatens the dam’s ability to operate its eight turbines, which currently provide enough electricity for nearly 500,000 households. The basin could reach the "minimum power pool" at 3,490 feet, at which point turbine operation would cease, unless "extraordinary measures" are taken, according to Brad Udall, senior water and climate research scientist at Colorado State University.

The Bureau of Reclamation and the Department of the Interior said they remain committed to lowering the risk of both reservoirs falling below critical elevations to protect infrastructure and meet water and hydropower needs.

While major cities such as Phoenix and Tucson have begun preparing backup water supplies, smaller communities and tribal groups may face greater challenges, noted Sarah Porter, director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University.

Federal officials are expected to release a water-cut plan for the seven basin states within days, outlining reductions through 2028. Experts caution that even an unusually wet winter, such as one driven by an El Niño pattern, would not be sufficient to lift the river out of its current crisis.