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New Forecast Says Colorado River Could Reach Dead Pool

The Bureau of Reclamation has released its five-year projection for the Colorado River, and the outlook has not improved.

The two largest reservoirs on the Colorado River — Lake Mead and Lake Powell — have both reached historic lows.

The Bureau projects more of the same — long-term drought — and says there is a chance that Lake Powell will fall so low the river will no longer be able to generate electricity.

The low reservoir levels have triggered a drought contingency plan, which hit Arizona harder than other states.

The agency says it’s possible that additional actions might be necessary.

Ron Dungan was a senior field correspondent at KJZZ from 2020 to 2024.