Water levels at one of the Colorado River's largest reservoirs have fallen to dangerously low levels, threatening water supplies for tens of millions of people across the Southwest and forcing urgent discussions about mandatory cuts.
Reservoir nears dead pool
Lake Powell, the second-largest reservoir on the Colorado River, has dropped to within feet of "dead pool" levels — the threshold below which water can no longer flow downstream through the Glen Canyon Dam's hydroelectric turbines. Federal officials warned that continued declines could force emergency action to protect the dam's infrastructure and maintain water deliveries. The reservoir has lost more than 75% of its capacity since 2000, a decline driven by a combination of rising temperatures, reduced snowpack, and steady demand from farms and cities.
Data centers add pressure
The crisis is being compounded by the rapid expansion of data centers across the Southwest, which consume enormous quantities of water for cooling. A recent analysis found that AI data centers in the region could use as much water as several small cities annually. New York Governor Kathy Hochul this week signed the first statewide moratorium on new data center construction, citing concerns about energy and water consumption — a move that some western states are watching closely.
Federal response questioned
The situation has drawn scrutiny to the federal government's water management policies. A Washington Post investigation found that the Trump administration has spent billions on energy projects across the West, including in the Colorado River basin, but has yet to deliver a promised electricity boom. Critics say the administration has prioritized energy production over conservation, leaving the region more vulnerable to drought-driven shortages.