Lake Powell Hits Record Low, Approaching Critical Hydropower Threshold
Lake Powell, the second-largest reservoir in the United States, has reached its lowest recorded level, dropping to 3,519.91 feet as of August 15, 2026. This marks a new low, surpassing the previous record set in April 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (CNN, 2026). The reservoir, which spans parts of Arizona and Utah, is now less than 30 feet above the 'minimum power pool' level of 3,490 feet, at which its dam will no longer generate hydropower. The decline is attributed to prolonged drought, climate change, and reduced snowpack in the Colorado River Basin. Lake Powell and Lake Mead together hold less than 60% of the Colorado River Basin's total water storage, underscoring the severity of the crisis. 
