Lake Powell Falls to 3,524.3 Feet, Nearing 3,490-Foot Dead Power Pool
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Jul 13
Lake Powell Falls to 3,524.3 Feet, Nearing 3,490-Foot Dead Power Pool
3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Jul 13
Summary
Lake Powell stood at 3,524.3 feet on Monday, leaving it about 34 feet above the 3,490-foot level where Glen Canyon Dam can no longer generate hydropower.
The reservoir now holds about 5.52 million acre-feet of live storage and has been losing roughly 4,800 acre-feet a day since June 1, with experts warning operations grow far more difficult below 3,500 feet.
A new record low could arrive in August after the lake came within about 4 feet of its April 2023 low, even though the recent decline has run about 2 feet better than earlier projections.
Record-low snowpack, prolonged drought and 13% to 15% lower basin runoff than in the mid-to-late 20th century are driving the drop, and forecasters say monsoon rains or El Niño may offer only limited short-term relief.
Lake Mead is also near historic lows at 1,042.8 feet, underscoring pressure on Colorado River states to agree new operating rules before federal officials step in.
Built for a wetter climate, how close is the Glen Canyon Dam to a catastrophic failure that could cripple three states?
As reservoirs shrink, can technology create new water, or must desert megacities radically downsize to survive?
With a century-old water pact broken, who will be forced to sacrifice their supply to save the American Southwest?
Lake Powell at the Brink: Impacts, Causes, and Solutions for the Colorado River’s 2026 Water Emergency
Overview
In July 2026, Lake Powell faces an immediate and severe crisis as its water levels drop dangerously close to critical thresholds, making operations very complicated and causing serious concern among authorities. This situation highlights the inherent vulnerability of the Colorado River system and creates an urgent need for intervention. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation warns that Lake Powell could reach its minimum power pool by spring 2027, which would further complicate water management and threaten water and power supplies for millions. The crisis underscores the need for updated operational tools and coordinated action to ensure long-term stability for the region.