Lake Powell has fallen to its lowest level on record, putting fresh pressure on a water system that supplies more than 40 million Americans and generates vital electricity across the US west.

The alarming milestone came just days after Lake Mead, the Colorado River’s other major reservoir, also reached a historic low. Together, the two reservoirs are at levels not seen in almost seven decades.

The power threat is getting dangerously close

Lake Powell’s elevation fell to 3,519.91ft on Saturday, narrowly breaking its previous record set in April 2023, according to the US Bureau of Reclamation.

The reservoir has plunged more than 20ft since the start of the year and is now roughly 30ft from the level at which its turbines would stop generating hydroelectric power. Federal officials warned earlier this year that a “major intervention” would be needed to prevent that threshold being reached.

Seven states face a brutal water reckoning

The Colorado River Basin supports wildlife, agriculture, communities and industry across California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and Colorado.

But years of overuse, an exceptionally dry winter and rising temperatures have steadily drained the system. Washington and the seven states are now struggling to agree on how to divide a shrinking supply, with the Bureau of Reclamation proposing a 10-year plan that could bring major water cuts for Arizona, California and Nevada.

The stakes are rising as both major reservoirs continue to shrink. Their combined storage has not been this low since May 1957, when Glen Canyon Dam was still under construction.

Even tourism is being squeezed

Lake Powell’s decline is already reshaping the huge tourism industry built around its waters. Marinas have been forced to relocate into deeper areas, while boat ramps have closed, moved or been replaced.

The changes offer a stark glimpse of what prolonged water loss could mean. What was once a vast reservoir powering homes and drawing millions of visitors is increasingly becoming a symbol of the Colorado River’s worsening crisis.

Lake Powell hits record low, threatening key water and electricity supply for millions

Perhaps it's not a good idea to use Colorado River water to grow alfalfa for export to countries that have banned growing alfalfa because it's too water intensive?

Definitely need water for data centers. People don't need food anyway. They won't be around much longer anyway.