Lake Powell Dead Pool Fears Ease Slightly
Summary
Heavy rains raised Lake Powell from a mid-September low of about 3,519 feet to roughly 3,537 feet by Wednesday, easing concerns about water levels and hydropower at Glen Canyon Dam. The increase may be temporary: the Colorado River basin remains in a long-term drought, and flooding in parts of the Southwest damaged roads and disrupted access to polling places on Election Day.Key Facts
- Lake Powell, which straddles the Arizona-Utah border, reached a record low in September.
- Provisional U.S. Geological Survey data put Lake Powell at about 3,537 feet on Wednesday, up from around 3,519 feet in mid-September.
- The Bureau of Reclamation said earlier that recent precipitation improved inflows to Lake Powell and that further storms could raise the reservoir more.
- Lake Mead showed little change from mid-September levels by Wednesday, according to Reclamation data.
- Reclamation warned earlier in the year that Lake Powell could fall below 3,490 feet, the minimum level for hydropower production, without major intervention.
- Reclamation announced measures to protect Lake Powell, including increased releases from Flaming Gorge Reservoir and reduced releases downstream to Lake Mead.
- Flooding in parts of Colorado and Arizona washed out roads and bridges, flooded polling locations, and swept away some ballots, disrupting Election Day plans.
- University of Arizona climate specialist Mike Crimmins said the rains could improve short-term drought conditions but would not erase deficits accumulated over years.
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