Severe Drought Prompts Water Releases from Upper Basin Reservoirs in Colorado River
The Bureau of Reclamation has initiated emergency measures to address the severe drought affecting the Colorado River Basin. As of April 17, 2026, the agency plans to release between 600,000 and one million acre-feet of water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir, located on the Wyoming-Utah border, over the next year. This action aims to raise Lake Powell's elevation by 54 feet, reaching 3,500 feet by April 2027. Currently, Lake Powell stands at 3,528 feet, with 3,490 feet being the critical level below which hydropower generation at Glen Canyon Dam ceases. The drought has resulted in record-low snowpack levels, severely impacting water availability in the region. The forecasted runoff into Lake Powell is only 23% of normal, necessitating these drastic measures to protect infrastructure and water supply.