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Lake Powell hits record low, threatening key water and electricity supply for millions
PBS • • nation
Key Points:
- Lake Powell, the U.S.'s second-largest reservoir, has reached a record low water level, intensifying concerns about the Colorado River system's ongoing crisis.
- This milestone follows Lake Mead hitting historic lows about a week earlier, threatening water supplies, wildlife, hydropower, and over 40 million people across seven Western states.
- Persistent overuse, a record-dry winter, and rising temperatures have caused significant depletion, with Lake Powell now nearing the critical level where hydroelectric turbines could cease operation.
- Federal and state officials are struggling to agree on a long-term management plan, with the USBR proposing a 10-year plan involving major water cuts for Arizona, California, and Nevada.
- The crisis has also disrupted Lake Powell's tourism industry, forcing marinas to relocate and adjust operations due to falling water levels.
