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Officials Halt Lake Powell Water Release, Threatening Western States

8/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Federal officials announced they will not release water from Lake Powell, prioritizing hydropower over fish.
Lake Powell fell to 3,519.91 feet on Saturday, 30 feet above the 3,490-foot minimum power pool where turbines stop, a record low.
The Bureau of Reclamation proposed a 10-year plan that could cut water for Arizona, California and Nevada.

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Story summary

Federal officials announced they will not release water from Lake Powell, prioritizing hydropower over fish.
Lake Powell fell to 3,519.91 feet on Saturday, 30 feet above the 3,490-foot minimum power pool where turbines stop, a record low.
The Bureau of Reclamation proposed a 10-year plan that could cut water for Arizona, California and Nevada.