Story perspectives

Reclamation to Transfer Water as Lake Mead Hits Lows

8/19/2026

Summary

Reclamation Moves Water

Record lows were set when Lake Powell fell to 3,519.8 feet on August 6, 2026 and Lake Mead dropped to 1,039.83 feet on August 7, 2026.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will transfer water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir to Lake Powell and cut releases to Lake Mead.
The Interior Department’s final Environmental Impact Statement, released July 31, 2026, sets a 2036 plan requiring Arizona, California and Nevada to cut water use by 3 million acre-feet annually.

Summary

States Halt

In 2024, 23 Southern Nevada data centers used over 716 million gallons of water, enough for 4,395 homes.
New York imposed a statewide moratorium on new data centers in July while studying water and electricity impacts.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered regulators to audit data-center proposals and halt new grid connections pending usage data.
Boulder City Planning Commission recommended denying a 5-acre AI data-center because of water, electricity, noise and environmental impacts.

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Reclamation Moves Water

Record lows were set when Lake Powell fell to 3,519.8 feet on August 6, 2026 and Lake Mead dropped to 1,039.83 feet on August 7, 2026.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will transfer water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir to Lake Powell and cut releases to Lake Mead.
The Interior Department’s final Environmental Impact Statement, released July 31, 2026, sets a 2036 plan requiring Arizona, California and Nevada to cut water use by 3 million acre-feet annually.

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