- 65.5% of the West is in drought.
- 100% of the Colorado River Basin is affected.
- Lake Powell could lose hydropower by December 2026.
- Groundwater losses equal Lake Mead’s capacity.
Monday, September 8, 2025 — In a September 3, 2025 news post, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) addressed the worrisome drought situation across the Western United States
. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, more than 65% of the region is in some stage of drought, with 14% suffering through extreme or exceptional conditions.
Although the scale is less severe than the record drought of July 2021, when nearly 60% of the West was in extreme or exceptional drought, the impacts remain serious. The long-running megadrought, which has persisted since 2000, has left critical water supplies fragile.
Colorado River Basin in Crisis.
The Colorado River Basin stands at the center of this crisis. As of August 26, 2025, the entire basin is experiencing drought, with about 40% categorized as extreme or exceptional. This includes Arizona and portions of Colorado, California, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, and Nevada.
Reservoirs along the river are in troubling shape. Lake Mead is only 31% full, while Lake Powell is at 29%. Projections indicate that by December 2026, Lake Powell’s levels could dip so low that hydropower generation may no longer be possible.
Compounding the issue, the basin lost nearly 27.8 million acre-feet of groundwater between 2002 and 2024, roughly equal to Lake Mead’s storage capacity. Most of that loss occurred in the lower basin, particularly in Arizona.
State-Level Struggles.
Washington has declared drought for a third consecutive year, while northern Idaho and western Montana remain in prolonged drought.
In Utah, reservoir levels are declining at more than twice the usual rate due to weak spring runoff and a hot, dry summer. California’s reservoirs remain largely full following two strong winters, but the southern portion of the state is still locked in moderate to extreme drought, with agricultural, health, and wildfire impacts.
In Washington’s Yakima River Basin, reservoir levels have dropped to some of the lowest points recorded since 1971.
Groundwater and Reservoirs Under Pressure.
Groundwater resources and surface reservoirs across the West are either below normal or at record lows. The Northwest, Northern Rockies, and Colorado River Basin are of particular concern. Because much of the region’s supply comes from melting snowpack, the upcoming winter and spring runoff will be critical. NOAA has warned that normal precipitation will not be enough—several years of above-average snowfall may be required to restore balance.
A Special Drought Communication Effort.
To highlight the risks, NIDIS is launching a yearlong communications effort during Water Year 2026, beginning October 1, 2025. Updates will include regular snow drought reports, assessments of runoff conditions, and features on how federal, state, and local agencies, along with the private sector, are preparing for an uncertain water future.
The effort will also examine the national economic impacts of Western drought and emphasize how changing climate and reduced water supplies could shape communities for years to come.
Image:
Current reservoir storage for major U.S. Bureau of Reclamation reservoirs across the Western U.S. Blue shading in each “teacup diagram” represents the current reservoir storage, and the dotted red line shows the average storage for this date. Yellow, orange, and red hues indicate drought conditions according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Source: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
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