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

Lake Powell, the United States' second-largest reservoir, has reached a record low water level, raising concerns over the crisis in the Colorado River system. This alarming milestone, reached on Saturday, follows the recent historic low of Lake Mead, also facing record-low water levels. The Colorado River Basin, vital for wildlife, hydropower, and more than 40 million people in seven U.S. states, is in jeopardy due to persistent overuse and a record-dry winter leading to rising temperatures.

Both reservoirs are at their lowest levels in nearly seven decades, with Lake Powell already 20 feet lower than at the beginning of the year and 30 feet away from turbine production shutdown. Federal officials warn that major intervention may be required to avoid water cuts for Arizona, California, and Nevada by year-end. The crisis has affected the tourism industry, causing marina closures and adaptations.