Lake Powell
Coverage of Lake Powell in the Nexus archive.
- Supercharged bubbles are threatening Lake Powell’s dam. Federal officials are battling to sustain water levels.
Supercharged bubbles are threatening Lake Powell's dam, with federal officials working to maintain water levels. The same forces that impacted Glen Canyon Dam in 1983 are now causing concern as Lake Powell reaches historic lows.
- The Colorado River is vanishing — and the fixes are getting weird
The Colorado River faces collapse due to chronic overuse and drought, with seven Western states deadlocked over water reduction agreements. The Trump administration is shifting toward federal funding for supply-boosting projects as states fail to resolve disputes between Upper and Lower Basin regions.
- Emergency Drawdown at Flaming Gorge Hits Its Recreation Economy
The drought-induced emergency drawdown at Flaming Gorge Reservoir to conserve water for Lake Powell is disrupting recreational activities. Boat ramps at Buckboard Marina are damaged due to low water levels, forcing refunds and repairs, and impeding access for campers and boaters.
- Latest Colorado River proposal is disappointing, some officials say. Here’s why.
The federal government is proposing a 10-year plan to manage the Colorado River's reservoirs due to stalled negotiations among seven states and Mexico. Officials express concerns about the plan's requirement to renegotiate operations every two years, which could hinder long-term stability and funding for water management programs.
- California, Arizona and Nevada propose water-saving plan for Colorado River
California, Arizona, and Nevada have proposed voluntary water-saving measures for the next three years to address declining water levels in the Colorado River's Lake Mead and Lake Powell reservoirs. The plan aims to buy time as negotiations over long-term solutions remain stalled, with reservoir levels at historic lows due to overdrawing, reduced snowpack, and climate change.
- Trump administration takes emergency step to sustain key Colorado River reservoir
The Trump administration has initiated emergency federal actions to address the worsening crisis at Lake Powell, a key Colorado River reservoir. The measures aim to stabilize water levels amid intensifying drought conditions and declining reservoir capacity.
- Not only is Lake Powell's water level plummeting because of drought, its total capacity is shrinking, too
Lake Powell, the second-largest human-made reservoir in the US, has lost nearly 7% of its potential storage capacity since 1963. The decline is attributed to drought and other factors, as highlighted by a recent report.