The Guardian ·
The Colorado River is shrinking. What happens next?
By Ben Tracy of Climate Central||6 min read at The Guardian
Model summary
not written by The Guardian · not verifiedGenerated October 1, 2026
- The Colorado River system, which supports millions of people in the western United States, is experiencing a historic decline in water levels due to a long-term megadrought and climate-driven extreme heat. As reservoirs like Lake Mead and Lake Powell reach record lows, local governments are investing billions in advanced water recycling infrastructure to adapt to potential future shortages.
This is an AI-estimated analysis and may not reflect the article's actual intent or the publisher's editorial position.
Sign in to give feedbackLake Mead is at its lowest level since it was filled nearly 90 years ago, Lake Powell also at a historic low
It was 42C (108F) degrees as we motored across Nevada’s Lake Mead in our rented pontoon boat. Colby Pellegrino with the Southern Nevada Water Authority wanted to show us something we shouldn’t have been able to see. She pointed toward a rock island where a large metal pipe was sticking out of the water.
That is the opening of The Guardian’s story. The full report is on their site.
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