Lake Powell rebounds 21.5 feet after hitting record low in September
The gist
Lake Powell has risen 21.5 feet since its mid-September record low, helped by heavy storms.
The reservoir is still only 27% full, and experts say the long drought persists.
How it unfolded
- Aug 15, 2026Lake Powell's water level dipped to 3,519 feet above sea level, more than 20 feet lower than at the start of the year.
- Aug 16, 2026The pool elevation dropped to 3,519.91 feet, breaking its previous record of 3,519.92 feet set in April 2023.
- Sep 15, 2026Lake Powell hit its lowest point at 3,516 feet, 146 feet above dead pool and 26 feet from the minimum power pool mark.
Key terms
- dead pool
- The water level in a reservoir below which water can no longer flow out by gravity.
- minimum power pool
- The lowest reservoir water level at which a dam's hydroelectric turbines can still generate power.
- acre-feet
- A non-SI unit of volume equal to about 1,233 cubic meters, used for large water resources.
Source: Wikipedia