Lake Powell and Lake Mead water levels hit record lows

NPR | By Ava Berger

Published August 15, 2026 at 2:49 PM PDT

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The water levels of Lakes Powell and Mead are at record lows. What does that mean for the millions of people who rely on the country's two biggest reservoirs and the Colorado River that feeds them?

Lake Powell and Lake Mead water levels hit record lows

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Lake Powell and Lake Mead water levels hit record lows

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