Low Point for Colorado River Storage
July 12, 2026 marked the date that the combined storage in Lake Mead and Lake Powell reached a new all time low.Ìý Stored water reserves in the two reservoirs are now less than they were before Lake Powell was constructed.ÌýÌýThe last time the combined total live storage in these two workhorse reservoirs in the Colorado River Basin was this small was May 23, 1957, almost 70 years ago, when water was stored only in Lake Mead.Ìý Our ability to offset consumptive use that exceeds natural supply with reservoir releases is not infinite and is speedily diminishing.Ìý Water use must be reduced.
A Significant Moment in the Colorado River Water Supply Crisis