Lake Mead is struggling at near record-low levels, which is a major concern for tens of millions of people in the West.

The West's persistent dry pattern will not help to bring relief in the months ahead.

What does record low water mean?

Lake Mead and Lake Powell are two of the largest reservoirs in America. They provide drinking water for millions of Americans in the West.

People use this water for more than just drinking. Recreational events like boating, fishing, swimming and kayaking are all able to be affected. Tourism for these lakes is a major source of revenue for the community, and thousands of jobs could be impacted if water levels drop too low.

But it is more than just water. There also is the matter of hydroelectric power.

The West generates hydroelectric power from these reservoirs, so should the water levels drop low enough, hydroelectric power can be impacted or completely ended.

That sounds like a far off sitaution, but it is closer than you think. Lake Powell could fall so low by spring 2027 that it reaches “minimum power pool." This means its dam will no longer be able to generate hydropower for whole communities, according to a July report from the Bureau of Reclamation.

Those relying on this type of power for electricity will have to find alternative and likely more expensive sources of power.

Why so low?

The Colorado River is the source of water for these reservoirs. It provides water for 40 million people, is responsible for irrigation of 5 million farms and generates enough electricity to provide power to 700,000 homes.

But the Colorado River has been on a steep decline. The main reasons: water usage and not enough snowfall.

There has been an uptick in warmer, drier winters across the West. These winters mean that there is less of a snowpack that builds in the colder months. The snowpack is essential for maintaining water levels in rivers and reservoirs during the drier months for the region. But, we just aren't seeing as consistent snowpacks as we did decades ago.

Last winter was particularly bad. One of the warmest and driest on record, experts immediately sounded the alarm about what that will mean as summer progresses.

(MORE: Much of the western half of the country had its warmest winter on record)

Unfortunately, the West is in a drier pattern in the summer months, so substantial and sustained rainfall is needed to bring these lakes up to less concerning levels. And the monsoon storms of the Southwest can only do so much, even though they are supercharged by the ongoing El Niño.

(MORE: Summer impacts from El Niño)

Record low levels

Lake Mead, located just east of Las Vegas, has a current level that is hovering just above 1,040 feet. Once it drops below 1,040 feet, it will be the lowest the lake has ever been. The previous record was set back in July 2022.

Lake Powell, located in southern Utah, is also struggling at around 3, 500 feet. These two lakes serve as the largest reservoirs in the country, and they are both approaching 200 feet below full pool.

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