- Lake Powell’s storage stands at 38%.
- Snowpack in the Upper Colorado Basin is 116% of average.
- Total system storage across reservoirs is 42%, down from last year.
December 9, 2024 — The Bureau of Reclamation’s latest weekly report highlights a continued decline in Colorado River water storage. Lake Powell, a key reservoir, is operating at just 38% of its total capacity, with Lake Mead close behind at 33%. While reservoirs like Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu maintain higher levels, the overall system content dropped to 42%, slightly below last year’s 43%.
Despite these challenges, some encouraging signs exist. Snowpack in the Upper Colorado Basin is measured at 116% of normal for this time of year. This could indicate improved inflows as snowmelt begins in spring. However, precipitation levels in the Salt/Verde Basin are lagging at just 58% of average, underscoring the varied hydrological patterns across the region.
Water demand remains high in the Lower Basin, with California consuming over half of the total usage at 3,949 thousand acre-feet (KAF). Arizona and Nevada follow, utilizing 1,936 KAFand 213 KAF, respectively. Additionally, the U.S. continues to meet its treaty obligations by delivering 1,319 KAF of water to Mexico, a critical component of the binational water-sharing agreement.
“KAF” stands for “thousand acre-feet,” which is a unit used to measure large volumes of water, often used when discussing reservoir capacity or water supply forecasts; essentially, it represents the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land to a depth of one foot, multiplied by a thousand.
Forecasts for the 2025 water year project a total inflow of 8.621 million acre-feet into Lake Powell, representing 90% of the historical average. While this is below optimal levels, it is a reminder of the resilience of this system when supported by healthy snowpack. Effective water management remains important as population growth and climate variability increase pressures on the basin.
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