US's Two Largest Reservoirs Hit Record Lows Amid Western Drought

The two largest reservoirs in the United States have fallen to record or near-record lows as a severe drought grips the American West, according to data from the Bureau of Reclamation, the federal agency that monitors the Colorado River. The new lows highlight the challenges climate change poses for the river, a resource relied on by 40 million people.

Lake Powell, which lies mostly in Utah, fell to 3,519.80 feet (1,072.8 meters) above sea level on Sunday, just below the previous low set in 2023. Lake Mead, formed by the Hoover Dam on the border of Nevada and Arizona, fell to 1,039.70 feet (316.9 meters) above sea level on Friday.

Both reservoirs were created by dams built along the Colorado River to distribute water year-round and generate hydroelectric power. Their water levels are now just above the threshold at which electricity production from the dams would be affected.