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Lake Powell Hits Record-Low Water Level, Threatening Regional Hydropower and Water Supplies

Lake Powell, the second-largest reservoir in the United States, reached a record-low surface elevation of 3,519.8 feet on Sunday, surpassing previous lows set in 2023. The reservoir, located on the Arizona-Utah border, is now only 30 feet away from the 'minimum power pool' level, where the Glen Canyon Dam will no longer be able to generate hydropower for nearly 500,000 households. This unprecedented decline is driven by a combination of climate change-fueled drought, limited snowpack, and decades of heavy water use. The Colorado River, which feeds Lake Powell and Lake Mead, provides water to approximately 40 million people and irrigates millions of acres of farmland across seven states. Federal authorities are currently negotiating a long-term framework to manage the river through 2036. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated the department is committed to ensuring the system remains reliable for the millions of people who depend on it. Experts warn that while a single wet winter may provide temporary relief, extraordinary measures are required to stabilize the system long-term.

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