Lake Powell, one of the largest reservoirs in the United States, has fallen to record-low water levels following an exceptionally dry and warm year across the Colorado River Basin.
NASA Earth Observatory reported that unusually low mountain snowpack during the winter of 2025–2026, combined with stretches of record warmth, greatly reduced the amount of snowmelt available to replenish the reservoir during spring and summer.
Satellite images captured by Landsat show the dramatic change. A comparison between September 2017 and September 2026 reveals significantly less water across portions of Lake Powell and more exposed landscape surrounding the reservoir.
Despite the record low, Lake Powell remains above the 3,490-foot minimum power pool elevation, the level below which the turbines at Glen Canyon Dam can no longer effectively generate hydroelectric power.
Bureau of Reclamation measurements show that Lake Powell stood at 3,517.21 feet on September 20, 2026. Federal water managers continue to monitor reservoir levels, inflows and releases as the Colorado River system faces ongoing pressure from dry conditions.
The question now is what happens next—and how the Colorado River system adapts if extremely dry conditions persist.