Lake Powell Time-Lapse Shows Declining Water Levels Over Last 14 Years
Summary
A new time-lapse video shows Lake Powell’s water levels steadily falling over the past 14 years. Federal forecasts predict the reservoir will receive the lowest inflow ever recorded this year due to ongoing drought in the Colorado River basin.Key Facts
- Lake Powell is the second-largest reservoir in the U.S., located on the Colorado River.
- The Colorado River supplies water to 40 million people and irrigates over 5 million acres of farmland.
- Federal forecasts predict only 13% of the usual April-to-July inflow for Lake Powell this year, the lowest since 1963.
- A time-lapse from 2012 to 2026 shows the lake’s shoreline shrinking over time using satellite images.
- Water managers plan to release water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir and reduce releases downstream to keep Lake Powell from dropping too low.
- The Colorado River supports seven U.S. states and Mexico, which are negotiating new water-sharing agreements this year.
- Arizona, California, and Nevada proposed cutting water use by up to 1 million acre-feet annually through 2028 to help conserve the river.
- Lake Powell is currently about 23% full, well below average storage levels for this time of year.
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