- Water levels at Lake Powell, the second-largest reservoir in the United States, have fallen to a record low elevation of 3,519.91 feet (1,072.9 metres).
- The decline follows Lake Mead hitting its own historic low last week, intensifying the crisis across the Colorado River system which serves over 40 million people.
- Driven by persistent overconsumption, dry winters, and rising temperatures, Lake Powell is now just 30 feet above the level where its turbines stop generating power.
- Federal officials warned that a major intervention is required by the end of the year to prevent hydroelectric generation from halting entirely.
- To protect hydropower capacity, officials confirmed they will withhold cool water releases from Glen Canyon Dam, prioritising energy needs over threatened downstream native fish.
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