Powell at record low threatens West’s water and power supply

Lake Powell fell to a new record low of 3,519.91 feet on Aug. 15, underscoring a worsening Western drought driven by climate change and threatening future hydroelectric power; slipping below 3,490 feet could imperil electricity generation and push the system toward ‘dead pool,’ risking water for millions and irrigation for California’s Imperial Valley. With Lake Mead also at record lows, federal plans are cutting outflows, and recovery hinges on a much wetter winter, though long‑term trends point to continued declines despite the slim chance of El Niño help.