The drought conditions and lack of snowfall have had a serious effect on Lake Powell, and officials have said that they expect a temporary decline below 3,525 feet in the water level, although they do expect the Lake to recover.
"This year the Colorado River Basin has experienced extremely variable conditions with a record high snowpack one month, followed by weeks without snow," Reclamation Acting Commissioner David Palumbo said, desert.com reported. "This variable hydrology and a warmer, drier west have drastically impacted our operations and we are faced with the urgent need to manage in the moment."
The 24-month projections show that Lake Powell could drop 2-3 feet below that 3,525 level this month, thanks to a dry January and February, which decreased Lake Powell's inflow forecast.
The general manager for the Central Water Conservancy District (and Utah's Colorado River Commissioner), Gene Shawcroft told KUSA 9News that 3,490 feet is the minimum elevation at which the generators in Lake Powell can run. and that 3,525 feet is the buffer level.
The drought and lower water levels are also affecting the recreation at Lake Powell. Fewer docks are open, so inspections will take longer and there will be delays getting into the water, according to Lt. Bruce Johnson, of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources aquatic invasive species team.
