Lake Mead has dropped about 2 feet since the beginning of June as drought conditions continue to worsen across Nevada. On the first of the month, the elevation was 1,057 ft and as of June 29, it’s now at 1,055.13 ft. Currently, the elevation higher than it’s record-breaking low year in 2022. However, the reservoir is sitting lower than where it was in 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024. The reservoir is currently at 31% capacity, while Lake Powell sits at 32% capacity, according to the latest teacup diagrams from Bureau of Reclamation (BOR). The current unregulated inflow of water from the Colorado River to Lake Powell is estimated to be 45% of average through July, according to the latest 24-month Most Probable Study for the Upper and Lower Colorado Basin Regions from BOR.

Other water supply news around the West:

• Orange County Register (Irvine, Calif.): Opinion: The cost of state inaction—the future of California’s water supply
• USA Today: Water crisis update: Lakes Mead, Powell hit ‘alarmingly low levels’
• Los Angeles Times: Southern California on alert for severe wildfires after dry winter
• San Jose Spotlight: Opinion: A strong water year, but conservation and planning remain essential