Lake Mead hits record low as Colorado River crisis deepens

Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States, has dropped to its lowest level since it was filled about 90 years ago, reaching 317.1 meters (1,040.4 feet) above sea level on Friday, according to federal data Source: Clarin. The previous record low was set on July 28, 2022 Source: Clarin. The decline follows more than two decades of drought in the Colorado River basin, which has steadily reduced the flow feeding the region's main reservoirs Source: Infobae.

The impact

The Colorado River system provides water and electricity to more than 40 million people across seven U.S. states, tribal nations, and Mexico Source: Clarin. J.B. Hamby, president of the Colorado River Board of California, called the situation "extremely significant and extremely concerning," noting that about 30 million people are directly affected by risks to Lake Mead Source: Clarin. The drought has also affected Lake Powell, the second-largest reservoir, which on Thursday stood at 1,073.36 meters, near its historic low of 1,072.90 meters recorded in 2023, and forecasts suggest it could fall below that level this month Source: Infobae.

Federal response

In late July, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation presented a final proposal for managing the Glen Canyon and Hoover dams (Lake Powell and Lake Mead). The plan proposes cutting water consumption for the lower-basin states of California, Arizona, and Nevada by up to 3.7 billion cubic meters annually, representing up to 40% of their combined allocations Source: Infobae. The proposal exempts upper-basin states—Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Wyoming—from cuts for now Source: DiarioLibre. The plan aims to ensure supply stability for communities and economic sectors dependent on the basin Source: Infobae.

Disagreement

While Clarin reports the level as 317.1 meters, Infobae and DiarioLibre cite 317.14 meters, a minor discrepancy likely due to rounding Source: Clarin, Infobae, DiarioLibre.