Lake Mead hits record low as Colorado River crisis deepens

Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States, has fallen to its lowest level since it was filled about 90 years ago, underscoring a deepening crisis on the Colorado River. Federal data shows the lake dropped to 1,040.4 feet on Friday, just below the previous record of 1,040.58 feet set in July 2022 Source: The Guardian. CNN reports the level reached 1,040.5 feet on Thursday, citing Bureau of Reclamation data Source: CNN. The reservoir straddles the Arizona-Nevada border and supplies water to more than 20 million people Source: CNN.

What happened

The record follows a winter with the worst snowpack on record for the Colorado River Basin, which feeds the river Source: AP News. Years of overuse, drought, and rising temperatures have depleted both Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the country's second-largest reservoir; together they are at their lowest levels in nearly seven decades Source: AP News. To protect hydropower, federal officials said they will not release cool water from Glen Canyon Dam to protect the threatened humpback chub Source: The Guardian.

The reaction

Experts call the record a sign of "uncharted territory" Source: CNN. Kathryn Sorensen of Arizona State University likened the reservoirs to "the region's savings account" that has been drawn down due to overallocation and 25 years of drought Source: CNN. JB Hamby, chair of the Colorado River board of California, said the situation is "extremely significant and extremely concerning," affecting some 30 million people Source: The Guardian.

What's next

Federal officials recently proposed short-term cuts for Arizona, California, and Nevada after the seven basin states failed to reach a long-term agreement Source: AP News. A "record of decision" is expected in coming weeks, but experts warn it may not be enough Source: The Guardian.