US: Lake Powell forecast to receive 13% of its usual flows, new report shows.
Flows into the reservoir reflect the horrible, no good winter in states like Colorado — and increasingly worrisome water security in the West.
ake Powell, one of the Colorado River’s most important reservoirs, is set to receive 13% of its normal spring runoff, the lowest amount from upstream snowmelt on record, according to a federal forecast Thursday.
The reservoir, located on the Utah-Arizona border, helps pace the flow of water to millions of people, multibillion-dollar industries, hydropower facilities and protected environments in the immense Colorado River Basin. It is also in dire straits: As of Thursday, it held 23% of its capacity. It’s months away from extremely low water levels that would halt hydropower generation at Glen Canyon Dam.
The expected record-low inflows won’t help.
