Lake Powell, Arizona/Utah Border
Lake Powell, straddling the Arizona and Utah border, has become a dramatic symbol of drought in the American West. For years, this crucial reservoir on the Colorado River has been shrinking due to below-average rainfall, record-setting heat, and increased water demand. In 2022, water levels dipped to their lowest since the lake was filled in the 1960s, threatening not just recreation but water supply for millions downstream. The Bureau of Reclamation reported that, if trends continue, hydroelectric power generation at the Glen Canyon Dam could be halted. This would affect more than five million people across several states who depend on this power and water. Cities such as Page, Arizona, and many Native American communities are on high alert. The lake’s bathtub ring—a pale mark on canyon walls—shows just how much water has vanished. If the drought persists, Lake Powell may become a cautionary tale for the rest of the nation……