Lake Powell’s Water Levels To Jump As Snowpack Melts

Lake Powell will receive about 3.4 million acre feet of water this spring after winter storms accumulated above-average snowpack in the region.

Officials at the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Colorado River Basin Forecast Center made the projections on Friday last week, reporting that this influx would pull the reservoir’s water levels from 32 percent capacity to 37 percent capacity.

Lake Powell and other reservoirs in the region are fed by snowmelt trickling down from the surrounding mountains. The amount of water that flows down all depends on how much snowpack accumulated throughout the winter period. This year, thanks to a number of winter storms, the snowpack is at a healthy level, with some regions above average.

“Good news for Lake Powell! The snow feeding the lake started low in early winter (around 60% of normal on Jan 1),” the National Weather Service posted on X, formerly Twitter. “But thanks to a wet winter, the Upper Colorado River Basin is now near 100% of median snowpack.”

The news is especially welcome as last year the West emerged from a prolonged drought, which set the region on the brink of a water crisis. There were such intense storms in 2023, that record amounts of snow accumulated in the mountains. Although this year is not quite matching those levels, Lake Powell will still see a healthy influx of water.

“Compared to 2023, the current water year might seem underwhelming. Despite overall drier conditions compared to last year, several basins in the [area] are either nearing or at normal SWE (snow water equivalent) levels for this time of year,” the NWS reported.

Snow water equivalent determines how much water the snowpack contains, helping water and resource managers plan for future use.

Before 2023, Lake Powell’s water levels were looking incredibly low.

Formed by Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell plays an important role in power generation as well as delivering water to the lower Colorado River Basin states of California, Arizona and Nevada. It also acts as a reserve tank for outflow from the upper basin states, including Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah.

“Lake Powell is at 31% of capacity. Last year at this time, Lake Powell was 21% of capacity,” the NWS said in a tweet. “Inflow was almost two times the normal amount last year, which allowed the reservoir to peak at 38%. This year, inflow around [of] 85% of normal will result in a projected peak of 37%.”

Although this year is looking good for water supplies, officials remain watchful of the weather conditions. Climate change has caused weather patterns to become more unpredictable, meaning it is still important to conserve water wherever possible.

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