Monsoon storms brought scattered relief to southern Arizona and Utah, but extreme drought still grips much of Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah.

Lake Powell could fall below 3,510 feet in 2027 as Reclamation models releases of 6 million to 7 million acre-feet.

The Interior Department finalized new Colorado River rules for 2027-2028, cutting Lower Basin water 1.25 million acre-feet yearly as lakes hit record lows.

New Mexico is offering $35 million to help turn salty groundwater into usable water and reduce pressure on limited freshwater supplies.

New Mexico's largest reservoir sat at 1.4 percent full in August 2026, its lowest level since 1971 after years of drought and record-early snowmelt.

A very strong El Niño is forecast for winter 2026-27. It could lift Colorado River reservoirs, but only if the storms reach the right mountains.