Lake Powell hits historic low as Colorado River crisis worsens

Lake Powell, the second‑largest U.S. reservoir, has fallen to about 23% of its capacity and is roughly 33 feet above the level where its hydroelectric intakes cease to function. The decline has forced marina operators to relocate boat ramps and adapt to shallower water, though recreation remains possible for now.

At the same time, Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir, sits at about 27% full. Together, the two reservoirs are at record‑low levels, highlighting a deepening water crisis that threatens supply for roughly 35 million people and 5 million acres of farmland across the Southwest. Researchers attribute the shortage to prolonged drought, reduced snowpack in the Rocky Mountains, and climate‑driven warming that has cut Colorado River flows by about a third since 2020. Federal officials are drafting a ten‑year plan to address the shortage, while a forecast of above‑average rainfall this autumn could provide limited relief.