Lake Powell Water Data Current Status and Projections

Lake Powell is a vital water source, but its water levels have been declining due to drought and increased evaporation.

In 2020, the lake's water level was at 3,538.18 feet, which is 145.82 feet below its full capacity.

A significant portion of the lake's water is lost to evaporation, with an estimated 1.5 million acre-feet of water evaporating annually.

The Colorado River, which supplies water to Lake Powell, has experienced drought for 22 consecutive years, further exacerbating the lake's water shortage.

For another approach, see: Lake Mead Water Data

Lake Powell's water levels have been fluctuating throughout the year, with a three-year high in July and a current level of 3,577 feet above mean sea level as of October 24.

At this level, the lake is 123 feet below the full pool level of 3,700 feet.

Lake Powell is 35% full as of January 28, 2023, down from 35.25% on January 21.

The reservoir's elevation reached 3,565.2 feet on January 28, or 134.8 feet from full pool, which is down from 3,566 feet on January 21.

Last year on January 28, the reservoir reached 3,523.67 feet in elevation, or 176.33 feet from full pool.

Lake Powell's water levels have experienced significant fluctuations, and the drought looms over the region this winter, which could stress water systems.

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Water levels have reached a 3-year high, with some areas experiencing a 1-foot increase in just a few months. This surge in water levels is causing concern for coastal communities and ecosystems.

In some regions, sea levels are rising at a rate of 2-3 millimeters per year, which may not seem like a lot, but it can add up to significant changes over time.

Flooding is becoming more frequent and severe, with some areas experiencing over 20 flood events per year. This is having a devastating impact on local economies and infrastructure.

The increased water levels are also affecting marine life, with some species struggling to adapt to the changing conditions.

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Lake Powell's water levels are currently 123 feet below the full pool level of 3,700 feet, standing at 3,577 feet above mean sea level (MSL) as of October 24.

A moderate drought is already present in the upper headwaters of the Colorado River Basin, with some areas experiencing abnormally dry conditions.

The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts drought development likely in lower Utah and northern Arizona, where Lake Powell sits, from October to the end of January.

Lake Powell's water levels were critically low in 2022, nearly 50 feet lower than today's level, but above-average snowmelt the following winter helped the reservoir bounce back.

Higher-than-average snowmelt from the last two winters has helped Lake Powell's levels, but another dry winter could erase some of the gains made in the past.

Lake Powell's water level has dropped drastically in recent years, with a significant decrease in water levels between 2018 and 2022. Satellite images from the European Space Agency's Earth observation show a clear drop in water levels during this time.

The lake's elevation dropped to 3,075 meters above sea level, its lowest level since it was created over 50 years ago. This is a concerning trend, especially considering the lake's importance as a reservoir for millions of people.

Lake Powell lost 7% of its potential storage capacity due to sediments transported by the Colorado and San Juan Rivers. These sediments settle at the bottom of the reservoir and decrease the total amount of water the reservoir can hold.

If Lake Powell drops even more, it could soon hit "deadpool" – the point at which water likely would fail to flow through the dam and onto Lake Mead. Arizona, Nevada, California, and Mexico already are taking a combination of mandatory and voluntary cuts tied to Lake Mead's levels.

In January 2023, Lake Powell's water level was 23.46% full, with an elevation of 3,565.2 feet. This is a significant decrease from the previous year, when the reservoir was 35% full on the same date.

Lake Powell's water levels have been fluctuating over the years. On Jan. 28, 2023, the reservoir was 23.46% full.

The water levels peaked in early July and have been decreasing since then. In 2018, the reservoir was 35% full on Jan. 28, based on updated sedimentation data.

Lake Powell's elevation reached 3,565.2 feet on Jan. 28, 2023, which is 134.8 feet from full pool. Last year, on Jan. 28, the reservoir reached 3,523.67 feet in elevation, or 176.33 feet from full pool.

The minimum power pool for turbines generating hydropower at the Glen Canyon Dam is 3,490 feet, with a buffer of 3,525 feet to ensure proper functioning.

Lake Powell's water level is currently 3,571.99 feet, which is 127 feet from full pool.

The end of December saw a notable inflow of 299 thousand acre-feet (kaf) into the lake, accounting for 93 percent of the average.

This influx was significantly lower than the release volume from Glen Canyon Dam, which was 599 kaf in December.

In terms of storage, Lake Powell holds 8.67 million acre-feet (maf), which is 37 percent of its live capacity.

To stay up-to-date on the current reservoir elevation projections, you can click on the provided link.

The current monthly release projections can also be viewed by clicking on the relevant link.

Lake Powell's snowpack chart for 2025 is available by clicking on the designated link.

The current inflow forecast relative to past inflows can be viewed by clicking on the provided link.

The forecast for water year 2025 projects that the most probable unregulated inflow volume to Lake Powell will be 7.83 maf, which is 82 percent of average.

This forecast is based on a January 6, 2025, report from the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center. The forecast has a 10 percent chance of being exceeded by higher inflows and a 10 percent chance of being lower than the minimum probable forecast.

Lake Powell elevation is projected to end water year 2025 near 3576.12 feet, with approximately 8.99 maf in storage, which is 39 percent of capacity.

In terms of current operations, the company has been focusing on expanding its production capacity to meet growing demand. This has involved investing in new equipment and training staff to ensure a smooth transition.

The company's production capacity has increased by 20% in the past quarter, allowing it to fulfill more orders and reduce lead times.

The forecast for water year 2025 projects that the most probable unregulated inflow volume to Lake Powell will be 7.83 maf, which is 82 percent of average.

This forecast is based on the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center's January 6, 2025, projection, which takes into account various hydrologic conditions.

The most probable inflow scenario reflects a median hydrologic condition that would be exceeded 50 percent of the time, giving a 50 percent chance of this outcome.

There is a 10 percent chance that inflows could be higher than the current maximum probable forecast and a 10 percent chance that inflows could be lower than the minimum probable forecast.

The January 24-Month Study projects that Lake Powell elevation will end water year 2025 near 3576.12 feet with approximately 8.99 maf in storage, or 39 percent of capacity.

The annual release volume from Lake Powell during water year 2025 is 7.48 maf under the Mid-Elevation Release Tier.

The probable minimum and probable maximum inflow scenarios reflect dry and wet hydrologic conditions, respectively, which would be exceeded 90 and 10 percent of the time, respectively.

There is approximately an 80 percent probability that a future elevation will fall inside the range of the minimum and maximum inflow scenarios.

Satellite images from the European Space Agency's Earth observation show a significant drop in water levels at Lake Powell between 2018 and 2022.

The satellite images reveal changes in the reservoir near Bullfrog Marina between March 2018 and March 2022.

Lake Powell's elevation dropped to 1075 m above sea level, its lowest level since the lake filled after the federal government dammed the Colorado River at Glen Canyon more than 50 years ago.

The lake's surface area has shrunk, with the drop in water levels most noticeable in the image captured on 18 March 2022.

According to a report from the US Geological Survey and the Bureau of Reclamation, Lake Powell lost 7% of its potential storage capacity due to sediments transported by the Colorado and San Juan Rivers.

The sediments settle at the bottom of the reservoir and decrease the total amount of water the reservoir can hold.