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New Tunnels to Transfer Water as Lake Powell Hits 23% Full

7/14/2026

50 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The plan calls for diversion tunnels around Glen Canyon Dam and moving water from Lake Powell to Lake Mead, retiring Powell as storage.
Zanna Stutts says flow expectations have fallen about 20 percent since 2000 and the dam lacks a low-level outlet, leaving six million acre-feet inaccessible.
A Bureau of Reclamation spokesperson says Lake Powell’s storage is essential, but on July 5 it was 23 percent full and held 35 percent of its storage.

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Story summary

The plan calls for diversion tunnels around Glen Canyon Dam and moving water from Lake Powell to Lake Mead, retiring Powell as storage.
Zanna Stutts says flow expectations have fallen about 20 percent since 2000 and the dam lacks a low-level outlet, leaving six million acre-feet inaccessible.
A Bureau of Reclamation spokesperson says Lake Powell’s storage is essential, but on July 5 it was 23 percent full and held 35 percent of its storage.