As hot summer temperatures melt snow off of Western mountains, Lake Powell is rising.
The second-largest reservoir in the U.S. hit its lowest point for the year in mid-April. Since then, Lake Powell’s elevation has risen about 26.6 feet, according to the federal Bureau of Reclamation.
The reservoir is now 41% full, according to the Utah Division of Water Resources — exceeding projections from earlier this year, which forecasted that the reservoir would rebound to just 37% full.
(Utah Division of Water Resources) This map shows the capacity of reservoirs across Utah as of June 27, 2024.
The Division of Water Resources reported that as of the end of June, most of Utah’s snowpack has melted due to high temperatures over the last 30 days.
That water has rushed into Utah’s reservoirs, which are the fullest they’ve been in at least 15 years, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Reservoirs statewide, excluding Flaming Gorge and Lake Powell, are 92% full. That’s 20% higher than normal and 17% fuller than they were last June.
“Our healthy reservoir storage reminds us it’s not about what we get, it’s about what we keep,” said Candice Hasenyager, director of the Division of Water Resources.
Including the two largest reservoirs, statewide capacity falls to 55% full.