Lake Powell water levels rise, but drought concerns remain

• Lake Powell water level up 2.45 feet from last year.
• Reservoir at its highest point for the water year.
• Despite improvement, Lake Powell remains 112.98 feet below full pool.
• Weather forecast predicts extreme heat, potentially exacerbating drought conditions.

July 8, 2024 –– Lake Powell’s water level has risen 2.45 feet compared to last year, reaching its highest point for the water year. However, despite this improvement, the reservoir remains 112.98 feet below full pool. As of July 6, 2024, Lake Powell is at 40.57% of its total capacity.

This increase in water level comes amid ongoing drought concerns across the Western U.S. While some areas in the south have seen slight improvement due to increased moisture, the overall trend is drying conditions. A prolonged period of below-average precipitation and above-average temperatures has worsened the drought, particularly in the Great Basin.

Upcoming Weather Forecasts.

The weather forecast published on the U.S. Drought Monitor predicts an intense heatwave across the western U.S., including the Lake Powell region. This could lead to record-breaking temperatures, further exacerbating drought conditions and straining water resources. The National Weather Service has issued Excessive Heat Warnings for parts of southern Utah, including Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, where Lake Powell is located.

 The Climate Prediction Center‘s 6-10 day outlook suggests continuing hot and dry weather patterns.

Top Image:

Lake Powell is 186 miles long and has 1,960 miles of shoreline, which is longer than the entire west coast of the continental United States.  It is the 2nd largest reservoir in the United States. Photo by Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, in October 2007.  Licensed under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.